Published: March 31, 2025 by Gabe Farmer

We’re officially more than halfway through the semester, and if you’re anything like me, you might be surprised by how fast (and somehow also slow?) that milestone arrived. Whether you’re feeling ahead of the game, barely hanging on or somewhere in between, spring recess offers us something precious: time.

No assignments are due during the week of March 31 to April 4. No discussions to post. No lectures to watch. It’s a sacred pocket in the middle of the semester to breathe and take care of yourself, and I hope you do just that.

Of course, most of us aren’t heading to the beach for seven uninterrupted days of bliss away from the responsibilities of life. Many of us are working full-time or part-time jobs. Some of us are parenting, caregiving or juggling other responsibilities that don’t stop just because school does. But even if you can’t take the whole week off from life, you can give yourself the gift of the hours you would’ve spent doing schoolwork. That time adds up.

So what can we do with it? Below are some realistic, low-pressure ways to turn your usual study time into an intentional self-care reset. Pick a few that speak to you and give yourself the freedom to enjoy them guilt-free.

Do Nothing

Let’s just say it: grad students are terrible at resting. We’ve trained ourselves to fill every spare minute with productivity, and even when we aren’t working, our brains are cycling through to-do lists.

If you can manage it, let yourself truly do nothing. Stay in bed longer or go to bed earlier. Take naps without guilt. Watch TV when you’d normally be watching lectures. If it helps, treat this like a scheduled assignment: pull out your planner and write “rest” as your homework for the week.

Use Your Study Hours for Self-Care Activities

Think about how many hours you usually spend on iSchool work in a typical week, then repurpose that time for you.

Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Take a nature walk somewhere new (or revisit a favorite trail)
• Have coffee or lunch with a friend (and try not to talk about school)
• Treat yourself to a spa day whether it is a self-made spa day at home or a nice visit to a local spa!

These aren’t revolutionary ideas, but sometimes we need a little nudge to give ourselves permission. In a world where everything is vying for attention, you have to be intentional about putting time aside to care for yourself.

Get Creative

You don’t need to be “artsy” to enjoy a creative break. Tapping into a creative outlet can be one of the best ways to shift out of your academic brain and into something more intuitive and restorative. This doesn’t have to be about making something impressive, it’s about enjoying the process without any pressure to produce a perfect final product. 

Maybe you try baking something new and let yourself make a mess in the kitchen. Or you revisit an old hobby like crochet, photography, sketching or calligraphy; anything you used to love but haven’t had time for lately. You could also try flexing a new creative muscle with a quick writing prompt just for yourself, do a puzzle or build a Lego. 

Even ten minutes of journaling with no agenda can be a release. Bonus points if you can do any of this without looking at a screen.

Step Outside

Exposure to sunlight is thought to increase the brain’s release of serotonin, which results in a boost to your mood. Take advantage of the longer days as we leave winter behind us. 

A change of scenery can do wonders. You don’t need to summit a mountain or commit to a five-mile hike, just go outside.

Sit in the sun and meditate. Walk a loop around your neighborhood. Eat a snack on your porch or balcony. Step out during your lunch break and listen to a podcast. Getting some fresh air is free, fast and almost always helpful.

Reconnect with the People (and Pets) You Love

Sometimes school makes us unintentionally distant from our loved ones. You’re juggling so much that calls, texts and coffee dates fall to the bottom of the list.

Use this week to check in with the people who fill your cup.

• FaceTime with a friend you haven’t seen in months
• Hang out with your kids without multitasking
• Take your dog for a long walk (without checking Canvas while you do it)
• Have dinner with family or roommates with phones out of sight

These little moments of connection can be more restorative than an entire day off.

Read Something (or Watch Something) Just Because You Want To

There’s a special kind of joy in reading something not on a syllabus. Or binging a show without the guilt of having an assignment due.

This week, I’m reading The Language Puzzle by Steven Mithen and watching the new season of White Lotus—both totally unrelated to school and very much on purpose. Find your version of that. Whether it’s a cozy mystery, a rom-com marathon, your favorite YouTuber or revisiting a favorite book from childhood, spend a few hours enjoying media with no productive motives.

Reflect (Only If It Feels Good)

Some people love a little reset check-in during a break:

• What’s gone well so far this semester?
• What’s felt too overwhelming?
• What do I want to prioritize for the second half of the term?

If that kind of reflection feels helpful, go for it. But if it feels like more homework? Skip it. You know what’s best for you.

Give Yourself Credit

You’ve already made it through more than half of the semester. That’s not nothing. That’s commitment. That’s progress. Whether you’re balancing school with work, caregiving or just trying to stay afloat, you’re doing it.

Whatever your version of rest looks like this week, I hope you embrace it. You deserve a break. Not because you’ve “earned” it through stress or exhaustion, but because you are a human being, not a machine.

Enjoy the pause. See you on the other side, ready (or at least somewhat ready) to finish strong.