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About two weeks before thanksgiving break, I made a trip to Fox Run Mall to pick up some not so necessary necessities听(items I had convinced myself I needed, that would听come back to bite me听in the wallet later on), and lo and behold, there was a giant, sparkly, light-up REINDEER in the middle of the mall, right next to the Santa meet-and-greet station. I instantly pulled out my phone, and, laughing at my screen, much to the bewilderment of many听passersby, snapped a pic with the caption 鈥淭hanksgiving?鈥澨齌his was about a month ago now. It听being December 1st, I can finally听allow myself to enjoy the inevitable holiday spirit听and well wishing听that good ol鈥� American commercialism never fails to elicit. Mulled wine, hints of cinnamon in the air, gingerbread house decorating, holiday music, ridiculously hilarious elven costumes, mini cheesecakes, Pillsbury sugar cookies. Need I say more? This time of year听is definitely, without a doubt, my favorite time of the year.

But, it can also be one of the more stressful. The expectations of family and friends, not to mention professors, can take a toll. And听we鈥檝e all been there 鈥� it can be very difficult to keep a smile on your face when you鈥檙e busy worrying about that one course that you may or may not have skipped one too many classes in (definitely in the former category, parents). So, in light of the holidays, I鈥檝e collected some helpful hints and brought them to one place. Read on for some ideas on how to enjoy the holidays while juggling exams and other 鈥渉igher-education鈥� priorities.

1. You know that planner you bought at the beginning of the year that you swore you were going to use and haven鈥檛 touched since that first day of classes? Go digging and whip that out. If you鈥檙e neat and organized, you鈥檙e one step ahead. Actually, if you鈥檙e neat and organized, you鈥檙e probably already winning this part of the holidays so just bear with me for a minute. Alright, this part is crucial: The problem with finals and holiday shopping/party planning is that they happen simultaneously. Sure, the actual exam usually takes place on one day, but for most people, studying happens days, or听weeks, in advance. Try planning out some time for other priorities. And keep it essential. If you only have a Saturday or Sunday to get shopping done, shop only for people you know you won鈥檛 see over break.
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2. This part follows nicely from above. Once you planned out the 鈥渨hen,鈥� plan out the 鈥渨ho.鈥� I am the worst when it comes to sticking to plans. If you鈥檙e like me, but have little time to waste on your own flakiness, choose a friend with a similar schedule to your own, and plan to go shopping with them. It鈥檚 easier to follow through on plans when you鈥檙e accountable to someone else besides just yourself.
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3. Studying:听When you鈥檙e in the lib, with countless textbooks and an infinite amount of eraser shavings surrounding you, find small ways to incorporate your favorite part of the holidays into your five-minute study breaks. Pack some cheer into your thermos in the form of hot chocolate. Like living in the lap of luxury? 听If Christmas music is your thing, try creating a playlist and making it your background study music. Just because you鈥檙e stuck reading about Orwell鈥檚 dystopian society听doesn鈥檛 mean you can鈥檛 enjoy the holidays. Just remember to spend more time on that paper than on your holiday DIY page on Pinterest.
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4. Usually I鈥檇 tell you to take some time for yourself. I still stand by the need for a hot bath shower or hot pot of tea every once in awhile. But, this time of year, it鈥檚 especially important to remember why we do what we do in the first place. The most important thing you have this holiday season are the people in your life. I know, I鈥檓 getting sappy on you, but听when we spend so much time running around like chickens with our heads chopped off, trying to find the perfect gift at the perfect price, it can be easy to forget what the holidays are actually about. Plan a 听with your friends, or maybe a wine party. Or maybe even a movie night (Home Alone, anyone?). Just don鈥檛 stress out so much to the point of alienating yourself from the people you should be loving right about now. The thought really does count, and in the end they鈥檒l be happy just to spend some time with you.

Well, that鈥檚 it for my gleaming pearls of wisdom. Remember, you know yourself best so keep an eye听on how you鈥檙e feeling, and, if finals and the holidays are getting to you, take advantage of the people around you (and the pets), and give yourself a break. Happy holidays and good luck studying, Wildcats!!

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