A Guide on How to Survive the Christmas Break Alone
December 23 is supposed to be half day (in US colleges), but it would fall on a Sunday this year. It means that they must be ready (for leaving) on December 21, which should make the Christmas break a bit longer. It won't be good news for those who would spend alone.
Some college students can manage to get through the Christmas break by themselves, having seen "Home Alone" twice (or thrice). If they can't relate to Kevin McCallister, then they find comfort on the thought that they can be superheroes in the making. Alas, there won't be a radioactive spider coming out from a dark corner in an empty hall. They might hear the sound of a bird, if not another animal, which doesn't mean that they may be Arthur Curry's distant kin. And it would be a waste of time on mulling on why moviegoers don't warm up to the steampunk genre. (You have written an essay about it, but your professor wasn't impressed at your arguments. You could have read more titles on that genre, but time won't be on your side.) What about the others?
Solitude and depression are not one and the same, but the latter can be the outcome of the former. Some students can manage to handle solitude, but only circumstances would force them to do it. This can lead to another topic, worthy of discussion (and probably debate), but this post is all about surviving the Christmas break. It can be long when students become aware of the silence, which can be deafening at one time or the other. And they don't have to suffer from it.
It's a Christmas break, so coursework must not be the reason to keep oneself occupied during this time of the year. No one's stopping them from reading texts that would be discussed (and written) during the next few months, but it's possible that fatigue can affect them sooner than they think. (And the spring semester is still far away.) There's no need to be anxious about the winter season, not even a forecast that might gone wrong. It's all about focusing on the moment, chilling and disheartening at some point.
3 Ways to Experience a Different Festive Season
You're not the only one in the silent hall. Christmas break is the perfect time to indulge in social media. If calling your parents wouldn't be enough, then you can check out your department's (or college's) Facebook group page. There must be a number of (other) students) who don't have a clue on what to do during the break. If you want to keep the blues away, then chat with them. Tell them about a gathering on Christmas Eve, and don't worry about the food. (Pizza should be good enough.) Don't think twice about having international students for a company. It should make livelier conversation.
You might end up a guest in someone's home. You can't get over the thought of missing a traditional Christmas gathering, which you grow up with. Someone from the residence, who is in charge of overseeing the students (who are home away from home), might suggest a family who won't mind a guest joining them on Christmas Eve. If it won't be that family, then it can be that figure you're talking to. (Your tutor can be a good substitute.) Don't think twice about it. Never worry about not being able to bring a present. (If you're strapped for cash, then they won't mind at all. Your presence would count more.) And put your best foot forward.
This is not the time for self-pity. You must keep your spirits up during this time of the year, as the coursework won't get easier during the coming months. You must strive to be happy, even if the weather won’t cooperate with you. If you're about to get lonely, then go to YouTube (and laugh at the worst auditions in "American Idol"). If you can't keep down your competitive spirit, then you can find some old episodes of "Wheel of Fortune" or "Jeopardy" (and frown at those stupid answers). If both won't be good enough, then look at the situation with a proper perspective. It means that there are many things to be grateful about. It would start with a bed and your gadget. You must catch up on your favorite shows on Netflix, if not watch the Marvel films that you miss. (Carol Danvers is coming to town soon.)
One More Time
No one is telling you to read the books that would be discussed after the break. You can ease up the pressure if you would do it, but don’t forget to have a good time. Coursework can keep you occupied, which can make you unaware of those solitary activities. And you might rue on the moments that you shouldn’t miss at all. The people that matter to you are a call (or chat) away. And it won’t be hard to find a nice company in those empty halls. Greet those lonely souls right away.
