It may be almost February, with winter term is in full swing, but the snowy Appleton landscape out my window has me feeling rather nostalgic. These past four weeks, I’ve looking back at the holiday season, and I’d like to take a moment to appreciate the six week break that pre-dated this term!
Lawrentians are lucky to enjoy many benefits of the trimester system (three 10 week terms per year, instead of two longer semesters), but my favorite is our winter break which always spans between the Tuesday before thanksgiving and a few days after New Years. That’s six, count them, SIX weeks off classes to spend as you wish. This offers us opportunities my friends from back home who only have two weeks off will never be able to take advantage of. For example, I’ve known many Lawrentians to travel during the break. This year, many of my close friends found themselves in Israel on a birthright trip; others traveled in Sierra Leone, Monaco, Europe, South America, or just around the states. While these journeys can be for simple pleasure, some further these students studies. Linguistic majors can converse with locals in the dialect of their study, or history majors can explore ruins or museums not available locally.
Beautiful home! This gorgeous hike-The Empire Bluff Trail-is a part of Sleeping Bear Park, a 30 minute drive from my house. From left to right father, myself, my brother Jack and his walking stick.
Others can further their studies at home. LU’s d-term classes are a great opportunity to do a little more during the break, with some students staying on campus for two weeks to take classes they might not have time for during the terms. This includes the regulars–English Literature, Studio Art– as well as the less common classes, with History of Video Games being offered this year. Students can even use this time to do other career/resume/life experience building activities such as research, internships or working on or off campus.
Who would want to miss out on Christmas festivities (like dressing my dog Ringo up as Santa) because their exams went until Dec. 22nd?
However, this winter break was a little different for me. I, like many other Lawrentians, used this break for what it was–A BREAK. There is something special about being able to go home, not having to spend thanksgiving studying for exams, and experiencing all of the holiday season, not just two days before Christmas, at home. Being very close with my family, I spent quite a bit of time with my parents–seeing Lala Land with my Mom, a Christmas concert with my Dad. I also got the chance to spend time with my two older brothers, sister and their significant others. We made treats for family friends. I played carols for downtown Traverse City. We went for beautiful hikes. We learned new games, talked about Star Wars, laughed, ate and drank, napped…
What the holiday season is all about – Family. My siblings and I took this selfie on Christmas Eve.
It was wonderful. And without the long break, I don’t think I would have had the chance to truly enjoy so many things. I feel so fortunate to have had my December off every year, and don’t really look forward to “real life” when the holidays aren’t only fun, family and friends. Luckily, I still have two Lawrence Decembers to enjoy, but for now, let winter term continue!