Dear Readers,
I know for me, it sometimes feels much better to be busy; a schedule packed with homework assignments, meetings, and work shifts. It feels like an accomplishment in itself to say that you have “stuff to do” because it shows in some way that you are somebody. You are someone to be taken seriously by both your peers and your professors.
What do you do when you aren’t busy? For some people (including myself) these are the more difficult points in life because you actually are faced with silence and reflection. These are the moments when you think about less “pressing” issues, and more about what issues challenge your life outside of academics. For freshmen, this may mean you begin to miss home more. Sophomores and Juniors may stress about internships, and Seniors ponder life after college.
For the student that struggles with downtime in the same ways that I do, I would like to remind you that you are not alone. Taking abrupt breaks during the holidays, especially after finals, can be a shock to the system, and I don’t think that we talk about this phenomenon enough.
And for the student that struggles in their homelife or may not be able to go home at all during the holidays, know that you are seen and heard. Reach out to your peers! Let them know about these very real anxieties. The health center is always available too with open arms.
Breaks and holidays can be tough for a surprising number of students, but my hope is that we take advantage of the small community we have at Gordon in order to lift each other up, even in times when it may seem strange for students to struggle.
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