My Spring break was quiet. No plans, just sitting at home, figuring out what to do. It’s crazy how we go from tests and extracurriculars everyday to a week of almost no obligations. It really gave me the time to think about who I really am, besides a student.
So much of our days are spent finishing homework, staying after school, or studying for a test. Most students barely get any time to do the things that they enjoy, and some lack the time to discover those passions in the first place. And, for me, suddenly being thrust into a week-long break is almost shocking because I never have any idea what to do with all the extra time.
I would wake up in a panic, expecting to need to race to get ready for school. Or, before midnight I’d get the sudden fear that there was something due just then.
What did I do? Once I realized that I could wake up at 11AM and fall asleep at 2 in the morning, my entire sleep schedule shifted. I caught up with friends I hadn’t spoken to since the last school break, and we both agreed on how exhausting school can be. I rewatched three shows, focusing on details that I missed the first time through. But, most importantly of all, I did nothing.
I spent hours staring at the ceiling, and chewed in silence. I tried doing my homework, but somehow that was not stimulating enough for me. I was able to remember who I was, outside of being a student who needed to “just get to Friday.” And, I believe that experiencing that state of nothingness is a formative experience that all teenagers should remember to have.
Who are you when you are stripped of all obligations? Do you exist outside of being a student?