Thanksgiving break rolled around, and like most students, I was so ready to step away from classes, spend time with my family, and just breathe for a minute. But every year there is always a catch — I usually have assignments due right after the break and finals creeping up. The thought of coming back to school completely overwhelmed me and stressed me out.
I knew I needed to find a way to enjoy my break and get my work done, so I wouldn’t feel like a tornado hit me when classes started again. Here’s how I managed to balance relaxing and being productive during the break.
1. Making a Game Plan
Before I left for break, I made a list of everything I needed to finish. Instead of freaking out about the whole list, I broke it down into daily tasks. Knowing exactly what I had to do each day made it all feel way less overwhelming.
2. Make the Mornings Count!
Mornings are golden for getting stuff done — at least for me! To start the day on the right note, I would go on a morning run (fresh air + endorphins = a good day ahead). Afterward, I knocked out a chunk of work while my energy was still high. This left my afternoons and evenings wide open for family time and all the snacks.
3. Enjoy the Break
Once my work for the day was done, I fully let myself relax. I cooked with my family, caught up on my favorite shows, and, of course, ate way too much pie. Giving myself guilt-free downtime made the break feel like a real break.
4. Catching those zzz’s
I used the break to get some solid sleep. Turns out, being well-rested makes everything better, including your focus and mood. If you’ve been running on empty, breaks are the perfect chance to recharge.
5. Stay Flexible
Did plans change? Yep. Did I sometimes spend more time with my family than I expected? Also yep. And that’s okay! I stayed flexible with my schedule, and if I missed a task, I just adjusted the next day. No stress!
