Last week, students returned from winter break with varying degrees of mental refreshment. While some traveled to distant locations, others volunteered locally or simply stayed home, each finding different paths to recharge before the spring semester.
However, something unexpected happened to sophomore Jack Hayatdavoudi when he was playing Topgolf during winter break at Las Vegas.
“I was just so focused on beating my cousins and also trying to hit the back wall and just hit it as high as I possibly could — that really distracted me from checking Canvas all day,” Hayatdavoudi said. “That was the moment when all the stress left.”
Shelley Bustamante, director of Carlmont’s Teen Wellness Center, observed widespread fatigue and concentration difficulties among returning students. However, she noted significant differences between those who used their break effectively versus those who didn’t.
“Any time I see somebody who spent time in nature and socializing with their peers or family members in a positive way, eating food that’s nutritionally sound, they 100% do so much better than the ones that were staying at home, in their pajamas, watching Netflix or on their phones,” Bustamante said.
For some students, volunteering provided the mental reset needed. Thea Geylani, chair of the Service Project Committee for Key Club, found that service work helped alleviate academic pressures while keeping her active.
“Since we had no academic pressure, we could hang out with our friends. We could talk and laugh,” Geylani said. “We had way more free time to focus on volunteering and doing what we actually want to do.”
Despite different break activities, most students faced similar challenges returning to school. Hayatdavoudi described it as flipping a switch.
“I just turned on the lock-in switch right back from last semester,” Hayatdavoudi said. “It was just hard to open the textbook again and study.”
Bustamante emphasized that anxiety from readjusting to school affects students across all grade levels, especially those who become trapped in worry cycles.
“Anxiety is all about the what-ifs,” Bustamante said. “What if my friends aren’t there when I come back? What if I get a lot of homework?”
To maintain wellness benefits from the break, Bustamante recommends several practical strategies: turning phones off earlier, avoiding caffeine in the afternoon, increasing water intake, and practicing mindfulness exercises.
“Visualize the time in your vacation that was fun,” Bustamante said. “Maybe you had a good laugh or were swimming in the ocean. Visualize those details and feelings they brought out for you. That keeps it alive.”
Students offered their own advice for future breaks.
“Turn off Canvas. Don’t check that until a couple of days before break ends,” Hayatdavoudi said. “Get out of your room — that’s also great. Call some friends if you’re home, or, if you’re on a trip, just hang out with your family.”
Geylani emphasized the importance of time management for students wanting to volunteer.
“You need to know the right amount of rest time,” Geylani said. “You need to know what volunteer events you want to go to and what causes you feel strongly about.”
Bustamante believes the focus on student wellness represents a broader trend.
“It’s a national movement,” Bustamante said. “They’re putting wellness centers in every school because they want to make that a priority for students and staff. Taking breaks is a good habit to learn now that will extend your years on this earth.”
