Everyone needs a break every once in a while- especially if you are in demanding career or program. Some spend this time enjoying the ability to simply do nothing while others travel and plan elaborate vacations. During my most recent break, I decided to head back home to Boston with a list of very specific to-dos to squeeze into my week. Here are a few to-dos that I would recommend for your next holiday, especially Thanksgiving!
1. Read for fun!
I absolutely love to read, but it is hard to read for pleasure during the quarter. Although I am able to get a little bit of leisure reading in here and there, I often find myself feeling like I should be rereading my notes for the next exam instead. My plan is to get through at least one book during my breaks from my list of must-reads. Current novel: A Clash of Kings (Game of Thrones/A Song of Ice and Fire book 2).
2.Visit friends, family, and maybe even your alma mater
Another one of my plans is to travel and visit friends and family that I have in the area. It is hard to stay in touch with a busy schedule. During my most recent break, I wanted to spend some much needed quality time with my friends and family, a.k.a. my biggest supporters. I also planned to visit my alma mater- UMass Amherst. I decided not to take a gap year between optometry school and undergraduate, so it was fun to go back and see what has changed in the short time I have been gone. My younger sister also attends UMass, so it was a great way to see her too!
3. Netflix binge, of course
In between reading and visiting with friends, I planned to catch up on some of my favorite shows. Unlike some people, I try my best to avoid Netflix during the quarter because I find that I get sucked in. The planned 1 episode often turns into 4 and, before I know it, I just spend a chunk of my day watching Gossip Girl or Scandal. Although it is important to take study breaks, it’s hard to only watch one episode while the rest can be accessed with the click of a button. That is why I plan to get my fill while I am at home and don’t need to study.
Now my plans may be very different from some of my classmates, but overall, the theme here is to relax. Taking a break allows you to take some time for yourself. Don’t worry, there is plenty of time to be busy too!