Many of us Scippsies are lucky enough to not have classes on Fridays, making every weekend a three day weekend! This made fall break, for both me and many of my peers, feel like quite a good chunk of time to either rest, travel or get ahead on work. In most cases, I have found that doing a combination of these things is the best way to utilize a break.
1.Rest and Travel:
Over fall break, I visited a friend at Lafayette College in Pennsylvania and chose to take the redeye when flying there. I was able to sleep on the plane ride and, although hesitant at first, was glad that I chose to take the redeye. By travelling at night I didn’t feel like I lost the 12 hours that the train ride, bus ride, uber, and plane ride surmounted to. Although not the most comfortable for resting, I did sleep while on the plane. It was rest that I desperately needed from various midterms and essays due right before fall break. I was able to both travel and rest. But most importantly, I was able to rest while travelling, truly making the best use of my time.
2.Travel and Get Ahead on Work:
Two of my friends traveled to Santa Barbara for fall break and utilized the four-hour train ride to get ahead on work. They read their Core reading that was due the week after the break. They were able to make use of the combined eight hours that could have gone to waste. Ultimately, they alieved future potential stress and budgeted time in the future to work on other projects after the break. Travelling does not have to take away from productivity. In fact, it can often facilitate productivity because of the chunks of time that travelling demands you surrender to activities that are easily done while in transport, like reading.
3.Get Ahead on Work and Rest: (and Travel a bit too!)
Another one of my friends chose to make the short commute home and was overjoyed to be sleeping in her own bed for the first time since school began. She rested more deeply than she has so far as a college student and was able to do work in the environment where she had been productive for her whole life: her childhood home and, in particular, her beloved desk. Being at home facilitated her to work more productively than she had in months.
We should remember that it is time’s gift to have no classes on Fridays, or even classes that end early on Fridays. Our weekends, although not as long as fall break, can be utilized in the same way that we utilized fall break. It is a resting time. Travelling is more than possible here at the 5C’s whether it be walking to the farmer’s market in Claremont or renting a Scripps van and visiting LA for the day. Not having morning classes like we often do Monday through Thursday is the perfect opportunity to catch up on sleep for the week ahead. Moreso, doing work to prepare for the week, rather than just for Monday, is immensely helpful in catching those Z’s once the week comes. Resting, travelling, and getting ahead are all attainable on weekends and will make the week ahead much more enjoyable.
But last night, I wasn’t only nervous about my job. I felt sad about leaving my family. I have a seven-year old sister who I won’t see in a year, because I am studying abroad. As I hugged her goodnight last night, part of me sunk inside at the thought of missing her grow up a little. I also have a 95-year old grandmother who recently fell ill, and is now in the hospital. I visited her yesterday and was overwhelmed with how weak she now is. I want her to be there for me when I return.
