Spring Semester, the Return

AAaaaand we are back! It has been long enough. I think it is time to return to our normal lives. Yes, we had a break from the stress of classes which was good, but now it is over. 

I find it so interesting when I talk to different people about how their break went and what they did. The people who have told me about their break usually say that it was restful. I think that is what all of us needed. We just needed some rest and a break from the pressures of our school lives. 

I have heard stories about people who have traveled to be with loved ones, stories about staying at home and relaxing. Stories about catching up with family and friends, and stories about taking a break from people. Stories about holiday celebrations and stories about holiday struggles. 

These stories that I have heard all share this simple thing in common: We were able to rest from stress and be in a different environment for awhile. In a way we all needed a break from the normality of classes. To change it up and be doing something different was something we all needed.

I went home to be with my parents. I was able to work with my dad which provided us some time to catch up. I was able to spend quality time with my grandparents. I was able to escape and be alone when I needed to. It was restful. 

I know that this wasn’t what we were all able to experience during break. For whatever reason, things just do not work out as we plan. When we hope for rest, we may face high amounts of anxiety. It is just how the world works. Plus, we have the added pressures of things like COVID-19, the election and the problem of not knowing what will happen next. 

Right now we are facing some weird weather stuff with this blizzard that is happening. My biggest hope is that this blizzard is not a sign of the times and is not something that will be a preview of the rest of the semester; cold and wet. Hopefully you stay safe while Lincoln is freezing over.

This semester, we may be filled with similar emotions. We may face things that bring us to our lowest. But there is hope. Summer is coming up in just a few months.

TJ Pittinger is a junior

theology major

from Gilson, Ill.