Five tips for planning your time during academic breaks (or how to take time for yourself and not feel guilty about it).
My student asked when I was taking a break over the holidays - so he could plan on when to send me a paper.
Whole happy the student is working, I was concerned that he was working - everyone needs down time.
Somtimes.
That means planning your time off with care.
Many students and faculty use the semester break to catch up on teaching preps, reviewing, and writing.
I will be.
But.
It is equally important to catch up on sleep, time with loved ones, and work around your home.
Turning off work and turning on life can be hard.
Bc there is always something to do - an email to respond to, a review to complete, a lesson to draft, or idea to craft.
But.
You need to slow down or risk burnout or worse - an angry family!
So how to put the brakes on during the holiday season?
First, devices.
Think about your interaction with them.
They often are as much a source of interruptions as they are a resource to coordinate.
I have come to know that family time requires me to turn off the computer & phone so that I can be present.
So if not coordinating an event, I leave them in the next room or car.
Second, timing.
Some people have a hard time completely leaving work behind.
If so.
Sort out a quiet time that fits the family/friend schedule to respond to emails or work each day.
Then leave the devices behind.
That helps mitigate any anxiety you might feel for being too disconnected.
Third, schedule
Plan non-work time and communicate that to friends, colleagues and students.
Ask them to not contact you about anything those days - unless it’s urgent.
Most will adjust schedules and respect your downtime - like my student with their request.
Fourth, practice self-forgiveness.
For working and not working.
Don’t beat yourself up if you work too much or too little.
Turning off your phone, timing work during the day and scheduling your week are meant to reduce stress - don’t make slip-ups a stressor.
Fifth, relax.
Plan activities that you enjoy.
Mine are not glorious - it can be a bowl of ramen and a movie with my teen - or building a long waiting Lego kit.
Not every event is tik tok worthy.
There is joy in doing the exceptional and their is comfort in the mundane.
No matter what you do, rest your mind, gather your strength, and accumulate the mental resources needed to navigate the next semester.
Final tip - remember - you control when and what you work on - and there is power in knowing that - that buffers you from stress that comes with the many demands of academic life.
It is winter in the North- and this is often the hardest time of year for faculty and students - you will need those resources and that feeling of control in the weeks to come.
Best of luck.
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