Don't Forget the Most Important People

Studentmum had an excellent blog yesterday. She talked about getting her priorities straightened out over the holiday.

"I don't know of any other way to plan it to be honest, family has to come first at Christmas and I don't want to shut myself away all holiday, I think we need to spend time and go about as a family we have been remiss in that area lately, pressures of homework, studying, habit etc and have got into bad habits of doing our own things at weekends instead of planning trips out. I sense a New Years resolution coming on!"

As nontrads/mature students, we can get so caught up in the demands of school that we overlook time spent with the built-in support group of our family (whether it's spouse, children, parents, siblings, etc.). Studentmum is right - our families must come first over the holidays. Resolve to minimize your time with your laptop, schoolbooks and studying (or not do any of it all!) in order to spend time with your family.

For the most part, you will find that as you unwind with your family, you will gain a sense of renewal and refreshment. Take this time to build memories. Will the children remember that Mom went back to school to get a better job to be able to provide better for them? No. They will remember that Mom tossed her schoolbooks and laptop into the hall closet in favor of going outside and making snow angels with them. Your spouse will remember that you curled up with him before going to bed instead of curling up with a textbook. The children will remember using your laptop to put together a photo album of funny holiday photos instead of using your laptop to type out a research paper. Your family will remember that you went ice skating with them instead of retreating to the library.

There is a reason we have a Christmas break - to enjoy time away from academia. Keep your school stuff to a minimum over the break. But keep you family stuff to a maximum! Don't forget the most important people - your family. Stay tuned . . .

Take a Deep Breath

Deb Peterson blogged recently about how to "Relax Through Your Finals". She reminded us that the holidays are stressful enough without throwing finals into the mix. How true! I blogged about this topic on Nov. 16 in "Chicken Little and Feeling Overwhelmed".

I think one of the best ways to NOT feel overwhelmed during this holiday/final time is to organize your priorities. Right now, your number one priority is getting through finals. When that is finished, you will feel as if a weight has been lifted from your shoulders. What are some other ways to relax through your finals?

1. Simplify. As nontrads, we have to realize that the minute we stepped onto that college campus or got onto that website for the first online class, our lives became incredibly more complicated. Do not place the unrealistic expectation on yourself that you will still be able to have the same elaborate holiday you had before you became a nontrad. It's okay to simplify and not do all that you have done in the past. You may find that a pared-down version of the crazy holiday season will fit better into your lifestyle.
2. Delegate. Is there something that absolutely MUST be done? Let someone else do it! Delegate that thing to your spouse, your children or pass the tradition on to a younger sibling. Take this time to create unique "family bonding" experiences. Was the Honeybaked Ham forgotten about and now you have run out and get the grocery store version? It's okay. Take the kids with you to help pick out the "best" ham.
3. Be creative. Don't have time to get those Hungarian Nut Horns made? Get some Pillsbury sugar cookie dough, cut out the crescent shapes, and sprinkle the dough with chopped nuts. Call it the abbreviated version of the Hungarian Nut Horn and name the cookie after your family - the Jones Nut Horn.

Christmas is not supposed to be a time of running ourselves ragged, especially if we have had an exceptionally challenging semester. Christmas is a time of remembering that a very simple Man came into our world in a very simple way. It's a time of remembering those we love and giving the gift of our time to them. This is supposed to be your semester break, a time of rest. Don't go back to school exhausted from the break. Stay tuned . . .