Everyone loves the winter holidays. Regardless of religion or faith preference, the holidays have something for everyone: Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanza, or simply just a break from school or work. However, while most things about the holidays are great and jolly, it’s also a very stressful time for some people/families. Siblings are united once again, divorced parents put a smile on their face as they greet their ex in-laws, 20 people are squeezed into a room that should honestly only hold about 10.

The holidays always seem to bring along an inevitable amount of stress with them, regardless of what you celebrate or observe. To help aide this stress, for this year I’ve come up with a list that will (hopefully) help you get through this holiday season stress-free.

1. Prepare yourself
Personally, I think one of the things I always underestimate is the amount of people I’m going to see. If your family is as loud and (lovingly) obnoxious as mine is, you’re going to need a little bit of mental prep to see them. Ask around who’s coming so you know who to expect in your house for a few days.

2. Breathe
I write a lot of lists like this and one of the main things I always list is to breathe. It sounds simple and kind of dumb to write down, right? Breathing really helps though when you take into consideration the amount of stress the holidays bring with them. Just keep a cool head when your overly opinionated grandmother starts a fight with your cousin due to different political opinions. Remember that you only really get to see this crowd all together once or twice a year, and that this should be cherished, no matter how heated the debates get.

3. Remember the reason for the season
Gotta love a good cliche, right? Remember that the stress is worth it because you and your family are all together. The presents and breaks off of school are great and all, but being surrounded by people that care about you is the greatest experience of all.

Have a happy happy holidays!

Here on campus, exams are finished and students are heading home for a welcomed and needed break for the Holidays.

For high school students with final exams finished, you might be wondering if college exams are the same.

The truth is that they are actually pretty similar. But college finals tend to cover more information and require more specific knowledge, so you’ll have to spend more time studying. Here are some ideas to help you prepare for success when you arrive at the college of your choice:

• Plan ahead. The best way to prepare for exams is to study a little bit every day. You’ll retain information better and you’ll avoid the stress that goes along with cramming.
• Build a routine. Schedule a time for study and stick to it! Also, studying in the same place will help add some stability to your routine.
• Manage your time. Time management skills will be an asset throughout your life. So start developing them now. Prioritize your tasks and use your time to your advantage.
• Make a list. Does it seem like there’s too much to study? Take control. A ‘to do’ list will not only clarify what you need to work on, it will show you how you’re progressing.
• Create some balance. Studying is important, but remember to maintain a healthy balance. Take time out to do things that you enjoy: read a book, see a movie, or hang out with your friends.

With a little preparation and by sharpening your study skills, you don’t have to be stressed out during final exams.

For the first time since October, I got to come home and see my friends and family for an entire month. I cannot possibly put into words how excited this makes me. If there is one cliche that is correct, it is that distance makes the heart grow fonder.

Although I knew deep down that I really had no reason to be nervous that my friends and family would think I was weird or changed and wouldn’t want to hang out with me, I was a little worried that they would all have changed and friends that I only talk to but once a week or so wouldn’t actually want to see me. It’d been so long since I’d seen some of them, I couldn’t help but worry if they’d lost interest in maintaining a friendship with me.

I think that’s one of the scariest things about college: the friends that you’ve made, some that you’ve known your entire life, all go in different directions and disperse. You’re no longer together, and it’s really up to the two of you to keep talking and make sure the friendship doesn’t go away. It’s not always easy. There are some people you just inevitably won’t talk to as much because college keeps you so so busy.

However, upon coming home, I learnt that it’s not just a severance of friendship; but more of a pause on everything. You will come home for the holidays, along with everyone else, and it will be the greatest thing ever. People you didn’t really hang out with or see outside of school but once or twice will come home and you will be so so so excited. Everything just picks up where it left off, and as soon as you know you’re at your favorite coffee shop with your best friend telling each other all about your college adventures.

Coming home is the best. There is nothing to fear except not having enough time to see everyone you want to. (Although shout out to Loyola for a month at home give or take a few days.) Everything just picks up where they left off, and there’s no need to be nervous.

Happy Homecoming!