Winter break brings a much-needed sense of relief for many of us. However, transitioning back home, spending time away from campus and being around family for an extended period of time can also be challenging.
Here are six tips you can use to survive and thrive over winter break.
#1 Talk through expectations ahead of time
If you’re heading home over break, it’s a good idea to discuss expectations with your family. For instance, you may be expected to follow a curfew, help around the house, attend certain events or take on other responsibilities. Having a conversation before you make it home can help you avoid being caught off guard and unexpected conflict.
This is also a good opportunity to talk through your own expectations and boundaries. Let your family or friends know what your plans are, including how long you expect to be around and how much one-on-one time you expect to spend together. If you’re uncomfortable attending specific holiday events, let your family or friends know and work together to brainstorm some other ways that you can spend time together.
#2 Get into a routine
Winter break can be a great time to unwind after a long semester. However, it can also throw us off our normal routines, and the transition between campus life and home life can be jarring. Set yourself up for success all break long by getting into a routine while you’re away.
Here are some tips to help you get started:
#3 Get to know your loved ones again
While it may feel like you haven’t been away from home for that long, you notice changes with your friends or family members. For instance, they may have new hobbies, interests, perspectives, goals and so on.
Take some time to get to know your loved ones again while you’re at home. Whether you’re seeing friends or family, try asking open-ended questions about their lives while you’ve been away.
Here are some things you can ask.
#4 Make time for important conversations
Being at home can give us an opportunity to have important or challenging conversations with our families in person, which is typically better than texts or phone calls. The key is to show up for these conversations in a healthy way.
Here are some tips to keep in mind:
Get more tips for having tough conversations
#5 Reflect and look forward
The end of the year is a great time to reflect on our accomplishments and look forward to what the upcoming semester and year have to hold.
Looking back
Take some time to think back on your accomplishments, things you’ve overcome and the things you’re most proud of this year. This could include doing well on finals, successfully changing your major, making new friends or simply getting through a tough time. Write these types of items in a list. When you’re done, take some time to celebrate all of the things you did this past year, no matter how small.
Looking forward
Take some time to think about what you hope to accomplish over the next few months or year. Perhaps you’d like to improve your grades, land a job or internship, be more active or get more involved on campus. Identify your goals and break them down into smaller milestones. For instance, if your goal is to get a summer internship, think about the things you’ll need to do to get there. This could include researching companies, updating your resume, attending a mock interview and exploring possible positions. Use these milestones to work backwards and create a timeline for yourself for when you’d like to complete each task by, and remember to celebrate the steps you take along the way to your end goal.
#6 Reach out for support
If you’re struggling over winter break, there are resources on campus that can still support you. Here are a few you can take advantage of over break.
Counseling and Psychiatric Services (CAPS)
CAPS will provide individual appointments and groups over winter break. They can also help connect you with a local provider if you’re staying somewhere outside the state of Colorado.
*If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, please call the CAPS crisis line and 303-492-2277 (24/7).
AcademicLiveCare
AcademicLiveCare (ALC) is a telehealth platform that allows students, staff and faculty to schedule and attend free counseling, psychiatry, nutrition and medical appointments from anywhere.
*This program is free regardless of your insurance plan.
Student Support and Case Management (SSCM)
SSCM is here to help students identify issues and appropriate resources. They also work collaboratively with students to develop an action plan. This is a great option for those who would like someone to reach out to another student or friend directly for support.
WellTrack
WellTrack is a free app available to all CU Boulder students. WellTrack is designed to help you identify, understand and address concerns related to stress, anxiety and/or depression. Their self-guided programs provide an informative and interactive way to manage your mental health and learn about additional resources.
Office of Victim Assistance (OVA)
OVA provides free and confidential information, consultations, support, advocacy and short-term trauma counseling services for students, staff and faculty who have experienced or witnessed a traumatic, disturbing or life-disruptive event. This includes things like familial abuse, intimate partner abuse, stalking, harassment, sexual assault and more.