The five stages of getting over winter break

It’s Jan. 22, the first day of a new semester. As you walk into class and pick a desk or table, you’re already tired, hungry and eager to be back home. “Adult life is not supposed to be this hard,” you think to yourself. The professor calls roll and begins lecturing. After some time passes, you’ve been sitting in class for a while now. Why don’t you just go ahead and check the clock? It’s been 30 minutes at least, probably more. You look up from your notes. The clock reads 3:17 p.m., something isn’t right. You sink in your chair and realize the hands aren’t moving. Confused, you dig your phone out of your pocket and it reads 8:45 a.m.. You’ve been in class for ten minutes. This is it. This is how I die. “Am I in hell?” you ask yourself. No, you’re just in college.

If you’ve ever experienced anything similar to this chilling anecdote, you’re probably just experiencing semester break hangover. Luckily enough you aren’t the only one. We all fall into these stages of grief, and I’m here to walk you through it. Take some deep breaths and count to ten, here we go.

1. 1. Denial
   This isn’t happening. This can’t be happening. Christmas was like a few weeks ago, and New Year’s was like yesterday. Right? We can’t be starting school again so soon… right?

1. 2. Anger
   Ok, screw this. I’m about to just skip these next two classes and go to bed. Nobody takes roll for the first few classes anyway. School’s pointless anyway. No, I don’t have any gum. No, you can’t borrow a pencil. Everyone just shut up and leave me alone before someone gets popped.

1. 3. Bargaining
   If I drop out today I wonder if I can get my tuition payment back. I could just run off to LA and act or sing. I’m talented enough. Who needs college anyway? Maybe if I skip only twice, it won’t bring down my attendance grade. That would be like adding three days to the break. It only everyone was this smart.

1. 4. Depression
   There is no end. There is no future, only suffering. I am forever lost in this limbo of class and homework. “Abandon all hope, ye who enter here.”

1. 5. Acceptance
   I’m just going to have to suck it up and grind through it. Spring break is right around the corner and before I know it it’ll be summer. School’s not as bad as it seems.

There you have it. If you or a loved one is caught in the endless turmoil that is a semester break hangover, don’t stress. It’s quite common and you are not alone. Everyone’s been through this once or twice, it’ll get better.