“Now what?”

I often find myself asking that question at the end of every semester. The end of the semester is always bittersweet and filled with unknowns. While the weeks of finals and projects are finally done, now we have to go back home and face whatever summer has to throw at us. For many, this may mean not seeing close friends or working a gig over the summer or studying for classes/exams. However, before you jump into whatever task you have lined up next, I recommend taking some time to recuperate from the stresses and horrors of last semester.

A couple of semesters ago when I reached out to a professor for advice, he told me to take the first couple of days of summer break to do nothing related to school. While this may seem easy, it often isn’t. After spending the last couple of months hyper focused on work, clubs, and other activities, it seems impossible to completely disconnect from it all. Nevertheless, completely disconnecting from such stress is necessary to allow you to focus on yourself and develop a healthy mindset for the break.

To help me accomplish this, I take time to remind myself of everything I accomplished during the previous semester. During the semester, it is sometimes hard to truly appreciate what you have accomplished and reward yourself accordingly because there is always something else to get done. Utilizing the beginning of your break to reflect on the accomplishments of the previous semester allows me to justify rewarding and treating myself. To be clear, caring for yourself physically and mentally is not a reward or something that needs to be justified as it is essential to being healthy. However, sometimes it is hard to take a longer break without feeling lazy or unproductive. Reminding yourself of how far you have come and of your accomplishments can help reduce these negative feelings that you may have attached to taking longer breaks.

Recently, a friend asked me if I had any hobbies I enjoyed. After some thought, I came to the shocking realization that I really didn’t have any hobbies because “I didn’t have much free time.” While it may seem silly, acquiring enjoyable hobbies can make sure you actively look for free time and then spend said free time enjoying your hobby. Engaging in hobbies can help you not only relax after a busy day but also allow you to better manage stress and think creatively at school or work.

Hopefully, you are able to spend some time this break disconnecting from all the busyness and stress from the last semester. Make sure to reflect on all that you have accomplished and remember that you deserve some personal time for yourself. Engaging in a hobby during your free time can ensure that you are physically refreshed and mentally equipped to tackle any work that lies ahead.