Home for the holidays? Make the most of your time

From the editorial team

For some, the winter holidays are a time of peace, tranquility and joy. For others, however, the end of the finals season only brings additional stress because they inevitably have to spend a month at home. Even for those with a good family life, moving home for a month while extended family comes to town can be a recipe for disaster. Let’s face it – living at home for a month after a semester of college is hard.

The holidays can be a painful reminder of a lost loved one. For others, it can be fraught with stress as family members ask about money, post-grad plans, significant others, or friendships at school.

Real families have problems. They have strained meals and strained relationships. Going to school does not solve these problems; it simply helps us forget them. No matter the problems, our families are still our families. And what better time to express our love for them than the holidays?

Immense growth occurs during school years. You may feel a little misunderstood when you come home for a long time. Instead of getting upset, understand that your family has also grown in your absence. You are not the same person that left and neither are they.

We remember what it was like when an older sibling left for college. It can be difficult for younger siblings to fit in and lead independent lives. Ask if you would like to take a driving lesson before taking your driver’s test. Bring home clothes for your younger sister that you know she will love.

Think about the activities you did with your family before you left. Ask your dad to have breakfast at the pancake place you both love. Help your mother with her Christmas shopping. Spend one-on-one time with your siblings. Kindly answer questions about post-graduation plans. Take advantage of the time you can spend with your loved ones despite the tension. Repair relationships and have real conversations

And don’t forget your family at Baylor. Sending a sweet holiday text or calling a friend goes a long way. This time of year can be difficult for some people; Reaching out can mean more than you realize.

We are the youngest we will ever be this Christmas. We won’t always be able to spend this time with our families, so we should take advantage of it.