Midterm Break: Resting Restfully

21 February 2023Christine L, Mack ‘23

The return to campus is back in full swing as delicious meals waft from Crooks Hall and boarding houses fill with laughter after a restful Midterm break. While it is difficult to leave the relaxation and freedom of the break behind, there are ways to make the transition back to school easier and use the break as fuel for the second half of the academic year. Having been a Brentwood student for five years, I have experienced all there is to the Brentwood schedule and I figure I should put my wealth of knowledge to good use.

Here goes …

The first important step in a successful return to school begins before stepping onto campus; it is to organize your materials and review any work that was assigned before the break. We’ve all been there, promising ourselves that this time will be different, that this time we’ll finish our work on the first night of break so we can relax for the rest. Yet, before you know it, it’s 2 am on the night before school and you are face to face with the daunting “monster pile of assignments” observes Finn G, Ellis ‘23, and readings that were meant to be completed over the week-long break. Taking just an hour to review and organize while waiting in the airport, or on a mundane evening, can decrease stress drastically and allow for a restful break.

Another helpful tip for a smooth transition is to get back into routine. Sophie H, Mack ‘23 admits, “The most difficult thing is adjusting my sleep schedule for school because it usually requires a week of restlessness and not being able to focus in class”. It’s natural to stay up late and sleep in but returning to a regular sleep schedule can help you feel more energized and alert during the school day and, in turn, skip over the first-day drowsiness. In addition to a regular sleep schedule, it’s also important to maintain a positive outlook on coming back to school.

We can all agree that it’s difficult to leave behind the freedom of break. However, rather than dreading the inevitable, we can choose to look at it from another perspective. Returning to school means reuniting with friends and teachers, learning new things, and making progress toward your goals. Whether it be seeing your crush again in the hallways between classes, or poke bowls at lunch, there is always something to look forward to even if we may not realize it. Avik B, Privett ‘23 says “Returning from break is always hard but my favourite part is the excited buzz that always runs through the house on the first night”. Focusing on these positive aspects can help you feel motivated and excited to return to campus.

At the end of the day, making time on campus a productive and positive experience is a choice. We can choose to use these breaks as a time to breathe, catch up and recharge for the stretch ahead, or we can choose to waste that time by stressing unproductively and dreading the inevitable. There are only a few more months until summer break and for many of us, graduation. Instead of dreading each day and complaining about our to-do lists, let’s cherish the time we have left before the clock runs out.

Make the most of it.

Christine L, Mack ‘23

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