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Between family parties, catching up with friends, and Christmas and New Year’s celebrations, the beginning of winter break is a busy, hectic time for all. However, come Jan. 1, more than two weeks still remain before students must make the trek back to Boston College for second semester.
Faced with the rare treat of free time, it can be tempting to spend these days sleeping in and binge watching Netflix. While there’s nothing wrong with a few lazy days, it can be incredibly beneficial to take advantage of time off from the chaos of papers, group projects, and clubs. In the spirit of starting 2017 off on the right foot, The Gavel suggests some ways to be productive during the remaining days of winter break.
Read a book for pleasure.
Sure, some students read plenty of books in their Perspectives classes last semester. But when was the last time they went to the library or bookstore to pick out a book they were excited to read? Instead of staring mindlessly at a computer screen, spend the day on the couch with a good read. It’s hard to fully appreciate a book when rushing to finish it before class, so take this opportunity to enjoy one to the fullest.
Start researching summer jobs or internships.
It seems like summer is forever away, but, once the semester starts, it will come in a flash. It’s never too early to start figuring out summer plans, considering school obligations pile up so quickly. With the Spring Career and Internship Fair on Jan. 25 and 26, now is the time to start doing some research. Check out the list of companies attending the fair here.
Practice self-care.
Sadly, it’s not unusual for students to let their health fall to the bottom of their priorities list. Whether it’s pulling an all-nighter writing a paper or indulging in the tempting Late Night mozzarella sticks, there are many ways that a student’s health can be compromised while the semester is in full swing. While there is certainly some stigma surrounding the concept of a New Year’s resolution, this time is as good as any for students to focus on taking care of themselves. Go for a long walk, cook a fresh and healthy meal, or rest up with a full eight hours of sleep.
Reflect.
In the true spirit of Jesuit education, students should take some time to reflect on the last semester. It’s easy to forget to reflect when caught up in the whirlwind of classes and social events, but it’s important to carve out time to do so. Think about what worked well last semester and what didn’t, which parts of daily routines were valued the most, and so on. This is the perfect opportunity for students to evaluate and align their goals and priorities for next semester.
Ultimately, the remaining weeks of break can be used to do the things that students tend to be too busy to allot time for during the semester. These weeks provide the chance to reflect on the past and start planning for the future. So, before clicking to the next episode of Black Mirror, maximize the gift of each day by engaging in something productive.
Avid lover of avocados, coffee, and proper grammar usage. Chandler Bing and Joe Biden are my spirit animals. You can catch me talking politics and running for the Newton bus.
