Even though we’re only a month into the spring semester, it feels like we’ve been back on campus for a year already. As we hear whispers of that dreaded affliction—burnout—in the halls of Olin-Sang or among the booths in Upper, it seems as though the February break is coming at the perfect time. So much has already happened this semester, so we the editorial board of The Brandeis Hoot would like to take this time to remind you all to make good use of these days off. Although it seems like many professors have assigned midterm papers or exams due right after the break, we hope everyone finds time to decompress in between catching up on work and traveling home or even to a warmer locale. 

Use this next week to go to sleep early or to sleep in. Spend extra time with family or friends that you might not have time to catch up with during the semester. Cuddle a pet or a person, touch grass, maybe even use a bath bomb, that cliche epitome of aesthetic self care. Doesn’t matter how you do it, but we encourage you to find or make time to recharge and do something that brings you joy. Along with being nice to yourself, we also encourage the Brandeis community to be nice to each other. 

We’re all stressed college students trying to make it through from class to class, day to day, week to week, and our lives are only made harder when we forget that other people are, in fact, other people. So give your fellow students a break, even beyond this week’s break! It can be as simple as smiling and saying hi to an acquaintance from class, or checking in on a friend who may also be on the verge of burnout. Don’t forget to cherish the people that you have here. College is a time of valuable connections, and you should hold on to the people that you have. This may seem hard to do over the break, so how do you get around that? 

Try to give your friends a call, keep in touch through texting. You can even use Netflix Party to have a movie night with friends. Nothing bonds friends like watching a bunch of trashy movies together. Hold on to these moments you have together. And while you’re at it, catch up with the friends you have at home. As the old saying goes, “Make new friends, but keep the old.” Have some hang out time with your old friends so that they know they still mean a lot to you. Maybe even set up Facetime calls so that old friends can meet new friends. 

Build an iconic supergroup. Break is meant to be a time to take a vacation from schoolwork and most responsibilities, but the responsibilities to the special people in your life still matter. With this, we at The Brandeis Hoot send you off to enjoy your week of (relative) freedom. Be safe, make good choices and we’ll see you in March.