Remember how long winter break used to feel during elementary school? You would come back in January thinking so much has changed. Even with those terribly unfunny jokes that you haven’t seen each other since last year, it actually felt like a year had passed since you had been in school. You would come back fully rested, yes dreary that winter break was over, but had enough energy to get back into school. But now, as high schoolers, winter break does not feel like it’s long enough.

Despite having “break” in the name, it is not always a complete break for a lot of students. Students who work part time for retail often have their break taken up by work, having to face the busiest time in the year for retail. Not to mention the students who are assigned homework over break, especially AP students. The countdown till AP exams approaches closer day by day, so some teachers assign work over break to keep students on track.

Seniors especially have it rough for their winter breaks. With college deadlines approaching, winter break quickly becomes essay after essay and application after application. Finally, there the dreaded end of semester reassessments and final grades, adding to the stress over winter break.

And yes, students are given two weeks off, but it still does not feel enough, and it won’t feel like enough, unless students do one thing and that’s prioritize themselves.

I discovered that the issue with winter break is not the length but with how the break is used, which should be used for you. Of course, you should also uphold your responsibilities over break,, but whatever free time you have should not be wasted doomscrolling or worrying about what’s to come .

I suggest students lay out their responsibilities over winter break on a planner. Schedule what needs to be done over break accordingly, making sure you can execute the item in a timely manner.. Any free time in your schedule should be dedicated to you.

Try focusing on something you want to do, an activity, a craft, a hobby. If you have been holding off because you do not feel like you have enough time to do it before, do it now.

If you follow my advice you will make the most of break, and return rested, because then you did not just go on winter break—you owned it.