If this semester was not already weird enough, it only made sense for it to end weeks earlier than usual on November 24th. With final exams over before Thanksgiving, I kept thinking to myself, “What will I do that entire time??!”. It can be daunting to transition from intense studying during finals week to no class-related responsibilities. However, the one thing most of California is now required to do is stay-at-home!
For me, stay-at-home means more time with family, more time to pet my dogs, and more time to spend in the outdoors within my hometown. I have enjoyed getting outside and discovering the hidden gems in my own backyard. There are parks and trails tucked away in unexpected places, and I highly recommend safely going outside during this time.
Another thing I did for this extended break is check out books from USC Libraries using their home delivery service. I always say I want to read more, so this time is perfect for me to do just that. Some books on my list are:
- The Snowball: Warren Buffett and the Business of Life by Alice Schroeder
- 1776 by David G. McCullough
- The Path: What Chinese Philosophers Can Teach Us About the Good Life by Michael J. Puett
I think that this entire semester has been wildly different than what I would have expected my senior year to be like. It makes sense that winter break of 2020 would follow the same pattern of new routines and experiences. I am still excited to take this time to relax, enjoy the holidays, spend time with my loved ones, and maybe learn something new too.
