Campus reflections

The promise of time away from campus offers a well-needed respite.

During the holiday season campus life shifts in a different way.

For many students, this time of year brings a mix of emotions, from the excitement of family gatherings to the life away from looming deadlines.

The disconnect between campus life and the warmth of family traditions can be difficult to bridge, leaving some students to regret going on holidays.

Amidst the flurry of final assignments and preparations for Christmas, students find themselves in a fix to balance between academic responsibilities, the desire for rest, and rejuvenation.

For some, the holidays are a time of anticipation after months of hard work, exams, and late-night study sessions.

The chance to reconnect with family and friends, indulge in festive traditions, and simply relax is often seen as a reward for their academic endeavors.

Merry Christmas in advance fellow students.

Enjoy your break but never forget the journey of academics.

Some will not agree with me having a conversation about the life after holidays.

Many students prefer avoiding discussions about results but one way or the other, you will come across such after the holidays.

It is the reality that some students are coming from a hectic schedule which then makes it ideal to take a break from the busy schedules.

As the norm, the holiday break becomes a moment of reflection, a pause to recharge for the next semester.

Yet, for others, the holiday season is bittersweet as some will be forced to do some house chores.

Students who live far from home may struggle with homesickness while, some students will become broke, as parents will not be giving them pocket allowances.

For these students, the break might feel more like an interruption than a celebration.

Some will continue with their studies and work during the holiday season while some will throw away books forever.

For many students who stay at campuses, holidays like Christmas or New Year’s may not hold the same significance, as those who commute to college.

The holiday season also brings an opportunity for personal growth and students often take this time to reflect on their academic and personal journey, setting new goals for the upcoming year.

Many find inspiration in the peaceful atmosphere, using the time to recharge their mental health and reset their priorities.

In some ways, the holiday season provides students with a unique chance to practice gratitude.

Holidays are also a time to honour both the demands of academic life and the need for rest while reflecting on the connections that shape the student’s individual journey.

As the holiday season approaches, campus life shifts in a fascinating way.

For many students, this time of year brings a mix of emotions, from the excitement of family gatherings to the weight of exams and looming deadlines.

But the holiday season is only portrayed as a time for rest, joy, and celebration not to forget the college schedules.

For some students, however, this holiday is more of a paradox than a reality.

The irony of holidays for students is that while the world around us slows down, the academic grind accelerates.

Instead of relaxing, many students find themselves entangled in a whirlwind of many tasks at home which then makes them forget that there is life after holidays.

Just when students are craving time to unwind and recharge, they are thrust into the most demanding stretch of the semester.

The promise of holiday freedom feels like a distant dream, overshadowed by the constant anxiety of waiting for results.

The timing of the holidays adds to the irony.

While everyone else seems to be shopping for presents, baking cookies, or planning their vacations, students are locked in a dilemma as they try to shift focus.

Even as the campus becomes quieter and emptier, a sense of reunion captures the students.

Fellow students, the irony of the season is palpable, just when the students need rest the most, they are often at most exhausted.

Even the holidays themselves can feel like an ironic escape for some students.

For those who live far from home or face financial barriers, returning for the holidays isn’t always an option.

Yet, perhaps the greatest irony lies in the fact that students often end up needing the break more than anyone else.

The holiday season, designed to offer a pause for reflection, is frequently experienced by students as a frantic rush to the finish line.

But in the midst of this fix, the holiday season, with all its contradictions, reminds us of the importance of balance.

It forces students to recognise that they cannot always plan for the perfect holiday, instead, they must learn to make space for rest, even when it feels out of reach.

In the end, the holiday season for students is an ironic reminder of how they should balance life.

Students should never stop strive for something better, even when the circumstances don’t quite align with their expectations.

Holiday is time when students are forced to grapple with the challenges of student life.

This is also a moment away from the college pressures.

Until we meet for a toast.

Merry Christmas!