Being a Princeton student is an incredible blessing—students have opportunities to learn from world-class professors and lecturers, engage deeply in independent research, spend time with wonderful communities on campus, and so much more.
One special opportunity I have always appreciated is the five or six week-long winter break. This year, it is a ton of time for me to make progress on my Senior Thesis, read ahead for my upcoming spring courses, and even teach myself something new. In past winters, I have also spent much of this time applying and preparing for internships. Past PCUR correspondent Ryan Champeau has a wonderful post on making the most of winter break.
My favorite point from Ryan is that you should spend winter break in a way which makes you happiest, whether it’s making a ton of progress on your work or resting. Being intentional about rest during winter break involves planning activities (or a lack thereof!) that help you recharge physically, mentally, and emotionally. In this post, I’ll share some tips you can draw upon to create a restorative break!
1. Reflect and set goals for rest.
Ask yourself: what does rest look like for me? Rest isn’t always about doing nothing—it’s about what helps you recharge, relax, and feel restored. It might look like sleeping in and staying cozy in bed without feeling guilty, going on a different hiking trail every day, visiting friends and family, or a combination depending on your mood.
Once you know what is most restorative for you, set some goals for yourself. For example, if reading helps you recharge, you can set a goal of reading for 15-minutes every morning. Carving out time to engage in restorative activities can help you ensure that you’re actually resting!
2. Create a flexible routine
Even with restorative activities, it’s possible to fall into the trap of over-planning. Leave space for spontaneity and structure your day in a way that works best for you. For example, you could broadly mark out mornings for cooking your favorite meal, afternoons for a nice walk outdoors or light exercise, and evenings for family time. Or, with break being five to six weeks long, you could also play with structuring different days of the week for different activities, like a work-focused day followed by a rest day. If you’re planning to complete some work for the day, be sure to set boundaries for when to unplug and create reasonable goals for yourself!
3. Spend time with loved ones!
For some students including myself, winter break may be the first time in many months that you’ll be able to see your family and friends from home. Spending time with loved ones can be deeply fulfilling, and this is a great time to reconnect with the people who mean the most to you. If you can’t visit your them in-person, I’d highly recommend scheduling calls, planning virtual game nights, and generally spending time with them! Winter break can be a wonderful time to schedule longer calls or get-togethers without feeling the stress of too many upcoming deadlines.
Spending quality time with family and friends not only strengthens those relationships but can also remind you of the support system you have outside of school. These connections can be a source of comfort and joy and help you return to campus feeling grounded and recharged.
By prioritizing rest, balance, and meaningful connections, you can make your winter break truly restorative, and you’ll be ready to tackle the spring semester with renewed energy! Happy winter break!
— Alexis Wu, Engineering Correspondent
