By Sam Ryan
samantha.ryan@spartans.ut.edu
Returning from spring break is tough for students and faculty. Whether you spent your break getting a much needed mental break spent in the sun, or to unplug from the world for a week, getting back on track with your school schedule can be incredibly difficult.
The beginning of spring semester can be tricky for some. Coming back to school after a long Christmas vacation can make it challenging to get your brain back into school mode. Although, once you do, your life consists of studying, homework, and the slight free time you have in between classes. When mid- February hits, everyone is pushing through until the moment that last class gets out for spring break.
As you pack your bags and call your Uber, the week you have been waiting and preparing for is finally here. You take photos, you sightsee, you catch up on your reading. Then, in a blink of an eye, your expensive, well planned trip is over.
Whether you went on a Caribbean cruise or tanned at the campus pool, the week of relaxation and no responsibility comes to an end, and we are not mentally prepared. How can we prepare? How can we click back into school mode and spend all our time back in the classroom?
The answer to this is simple. Self-care. Everyone adjusts differently, although it is important to recover appropriately after a long break. Before you go back to school that Monday, take the weekend to get your schedule back on track. Making sure your room is clean and laundry is done for the week will leave you feeling refreshed and ready to take on another week of learning. Catching up on the sleep you lost is extremely important when recovering from a busy week.
Whether or not you decide to drink alcohol over break, drinking water is crucial after spending a generous amount of time in the sun, and will help you feel more energized and ready for the upcoming week.
Personally, going from a luxurious dream vacation back to school mode was incredibly difficult. Taking off the weekend before class begins again is crucial for your mental health. Going to bed early, eating heavy meals and getting all your work prepared will make coming back down to reality a little less harsh on your mentality.
College is made for learning and experiencing independence for the first time. Though it is important to remain up to date with your studies, it is also important to create memories with those who have gone through this journey with you. Plan a fun, safe, break, no matter what time of year it is. If you feel you are confident in getting back down to reality with the proper preparation, college is a place to create memories you’ll hold onto forever.