BY MIKE POLCE, CONTRIBUTING WRITER
February break is rapidly approaching us. Whether you are excited for this break, or dreading this break, it is safe to say that we all need this break. This semester has been tough, to say the least. The weather has been lousy, familiarizing yourself with new classes is always difficult, and midterms are right around the corner if they are not already happening for you.
This break gives everyone a great opportunity to sit back, relax, and take their mind off of school. For some, the idea of having a “school break” has always triggered an internal debate . Why take a seven day pause when you have been in a constant, almost robotic routine? Also, why go home when the majority of Bonaventure students have the most fun here, on campus.
The answer to those questions are foolishly cliche, but truthful. A developing mind needs time to digest all of the information it has strained to confine throughout a school year. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, a brain does not fully develop until your mid – to late 20’s. The institute also claims that teenage brains are more vulnerable to stress.
I do not know about you, but school stresses me out. Everyone I know, or have talked to on campus has brought up a feeling of stress they have endured because of schoolwork. Think about this break as a vacation for the mind. It may not be the best idea to become a seven day vegetable, but take it easy. Your parents, grandparents, sisters, and brothers all miss you. So, spend some quality time with them. Visit some old friends and catch up.
In order for this to work, you still need to find ways to keep your mind sharp, because once that week is over, it is back to business as usual. It is not summer break quite yet, so it should be fairly easy to stay focused throughout the rest of the semester. One of the toughest things about break is keeping a solid sleep schedule. Unless you are planning on working, there are not going to be many priorities you have to tend to. There are not any 8:30 a.m. classes that force you to get up and get your day started. You must have the motivation and dedication to stay in that routine. Do not let your mind fall victim to the boredom of laying in bed all day.
Some students have found that breaks are the best time to pick up a new hobby, or start researching something you are interested in. For instance, I spent the entire thanksgiving break researching cults, and came back to Bonaventure flabbergasted by the information I had found. I still continue my research of cults, and now consider myself somewhat of a “cult expert”. I do not believe knowledge of cults will help my career in any way shape or form, but I am interested, and that is what is important. You must search for interest over break. Do not let activity come to you, make activity yourself. Or else, to put it simply, you will be bored.
If you do not mind being bored, then what has been said does not apply to you. If you are like some students, and even the isolated thought of being bored scares you, it may help. Have a good break, be safe, and prepare yourself both mentally and physically for the second half of this semester.
