As we are approaching the holiday season, everyone starts to plan their trips home and who they are going to be able to see. When you’re in college your trips home become more and more special as time passes and you aren’t with those that you love consistently. For me, home is either a 2-hour plane ride plus a 2-hour car ride or a 12-hour drive so going home is not an easy task that can be done. With Thanksgiving break only giving most people 4 days in total, that is not enough time for it to be worth spending $200-$400 on a plane ticket to then do the same thing three weeks later for Christmas break. So with that being said, I am going to give you all some helpful tips on how to handle being away from loved ones for the holidays and how to create your own traditions.
Some things that I have already started doing that are helping me a lot are lighting some holiday-scented candles that my family uses, so I have some sort of connection to my people. I have also been planning things that I’ll be able to do when I see everyone so it gives me something to look forward to even though I’ll be missing some quality time. The biggest thing that has benefitted me would be talking to my family. A phone call here and there allows me to reconnect with them and even talk about previous memories to look back on. One big thing that I think will help others in my position is to find something fun or new to do so you aren’t feeling so alone in a time where most people are with people that they care about the most.
Of course, as college students, we can’t afford to do some extravagant getaway but even a little road trip with a friend, doing a Friendsgiving, decorating your dorm, apartment or house to make it feel a little cozier. By doing even the smallest of things that can just make you happy you’ll be able to get this hard time away from family.
Some examples of things to do:
- Road trip
- Friendsgiving
- Holiday shopping
- Decorating
- Movie day
- Baking day
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