What I learned when I was a college student, and have continued to promote as a student affairs professional, is that fall/Thanksgiving break may not be the most ideal time to “break, break”.
We are all overdue for a much-needed extended break, and, as luck would have it, fall/Thanksgiving break is headed Mason’s way Wednesday, November 22 – Sunday, November 26!
Although I rarely make it home to Louisiana for major holidays or extended breaks, I’m still nostalgic about eating a slice of my play cousin’s famous sweet potato pie; listening to my favorite auntie spill the latest tea on all of the family, church, and neighborhood happenings; and watching daddy sneak away from all the festivities to take a nap in his favorite reclining chair.
The break is also a time to “kick it” with my childhood friends and high school and college classmates as well as binge watch all of my favorite shows that I’ve been neglecting as a result of late nights and early mornings in the office. And did I mention sleep? Oh yes, lots of sleep!
When I break, I break!
However, what I learned when I was a college student, and have continued to promote as a student affairs professional, is that fall/Thanksgiving break may not be the most ideal time to “break, break”. Think about it. When classes resume on Monday, November 27, there will only be two weeks remaining until the last day of classes (December 9). As such, you can’t afford to take advantage of the break in its entirety. You have to stay in the academic zone! Instructors will be ready to go into overdrive to make it through all the chapters in your textbook, and final exams and papers are on the horizon! There simply isn’t enough time to re-acclimate yourself to the depth of your course material and to the educational space, in general, if you decide to “break, break”. You’ve been laser-focused on your academics for the past 13 weeks and to “come up for air” for an extended period of time could easily throw your game off. How you approach the break can determine whether B’s turn into A’s or C’s.
I recommend you be intentional with organizing a schedule for the break in advance. Carve out some time to spend with your family, friends, and bae. They miss you and are deserving of some uninterrupted time! Also, be sure to dedicate some time to connect with yourself and recharge your internal battery through rest and relaxation. But, don’t neglect Ms. Statistics, Mr. Biology, and English bae! School bae will come back to haunt you during the semester wrap-up and finals!
That’s all for now. Enjoy your fall “break” and Happy Thanksgiving!
Peace and blessings.
Dr. Ivory Berry, also known as “Dr. Get-Your-Life-Together,” is the Assistant Dean for Student Success for the College of Education and Human Development. He shares his no-nonsense wisdom every day in the Office of Student and Academic Affairs, and occasionally, here on the Student Success Blog.
