How I’m Spending Winter Break
Written by Hannah Sazon
One thing about UD is that we are blessed with an especially long winter break. With classes not starting back up until February, breaks are a rare opportunity to actually breathe, reset, and make the most of the time we don’t have during the semester. Instead of letting it slip by, I am planning to make the most of this break by keeping myself busy, balancing rest, personal interests, and preparation for the spring semester.
During the semester, hobbies are the first thing to go when things get hectic, so one of my priorities this break is to get back into the things I enjoy. I finally have time to catch up on shows and anime I have been wanting to finish, like The Walking Dead or Black Clover, and to unwind by playing games like The Sims 4 or Stardew Valley. It will be nice to slow down and enjoy these little things without feeling guilty about putting off an assignment or studying for an exam.
After finals ended, I went straight to New York with my friends for a few days. We spent our days exploring and our nights back at my friend’s home in Long Island. On the first day, we went around Flushing, and on the second day, we headed into the city, starting at Jollibee, shopping in SoHo, eating in Chelsea, and ending the night at the Rockefeller tree. On our last day, we slept in, went thrifting, and then headed home. That trip was the perfect way to unwind after finals, and it meant a lot to spend it with my college friends, who I won’t get to see as much during break.
One of the biggest highlights of my break will be my one-week trip to Lima, Peru, this January. This will be my first time traveling out of the country by myself, but I am excited to work with the local communities through MEDLIFE, an organization that focuses on improving access to healthcare and education in underserved areas. I will be participating in a mobile clinic, assisting healthcare professionals, and learning more about global health and the challenges different communities face. I am really looking forward to stepping outside of my comfort zone, gaining a new perspective on healthcare, and carrying this experience with me as I continue to prepare for a future in medicine.
Speaking of medicine, I will still be continuing to work at my job as a medical assistant throughout winter break. Since I have more time, I will be working four days a week, instead of the two days I worked during the semester. This lets me save money and continue gaining clinical experience while still making the back and forth trips between Delaware and Maryland to spend time with my family at home.
Since many of my hometown friends are heading back to their schools in early or mid-January, I will still have a few weeks to myself before the semester begins. I plan to use that time to prepare so that when school does start, it does not feel like I am getting hit by a truck. Between culture night practices every day, classes, and events, I know the semester will be busy. Over break, I will be organizing my Google Calendar, planning out tasks and deadlines, and most importantly, choreographing ahead of time. Unlike last year, when I was sometimes finishing choreography just an hour before teaching it at practice, I have learned my lesson. This year, my goal is to be more prepared and have most of it done before practices even begin.
One thing I know I will miss after graduating from college is breaks like this. A whole month and a half to reset, reflect, and ease into what is next. Whether you are spending winter break traveling, working, being productive, or simply resting, I hope you take advantage of this time in whatever way you need. Enjoy it, and come back ready for the semester ahead!
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