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And so, the penultimate semester of my undergraduate career ends, not with a bang, but … no, it kind of ended with a bang.

This was certainly the most challenging end of the semester I’ve ever encountered. The papers, projects, presentations and exams gave me a run for my money, but I got through it.

Honestly, it was so bad I feel like I can do anything now.

Now I’m faced with a serious question: What the heck am I going to do with all the free time I’ll have over break?

This happened to me last year. The semester ended, and I was thrust into an unrelenting world of ennui. I took up crocheting.

You have no idea how much I crocheted. You’ve never seen so many ear warmers, boot cuffs and mug cozies in your life.

This year, I know better. I need to find a way to occupy myself and remain productive (without causing a major pile-up of scarves and mittens in my closet).

I have a stimulating job, so that’s a plus. But the free time I’ll have until next semester seems endless compared to the lack of it I have had for the last three months (or, rather, the lack of free time that I shouldn’t feel guilty taking).

What a thing to complain about, right?

If you asked me about this last week, I would have told you that I look forward to nothing more than having virtually unlimited time to play video games and bake cookies. And now, here I am, concerned with staying productive after months of putting productivity before leisure.

On top of that, I can tell you with absolute certainty that future me, buried in papers to write and senior projects to complete, will read this and be angry.

But, such is life. The grass is always greener, et cetera. Maybe it’s a matter of undermining the temptation to think this way, and maybe I should focus on emerging from that temptation victorious and well rested.

Whether or not I find myself bored over break, I am happy that I will be able to rest, bake those cookies, play those video games — and, hey, maybe I’ll get some crocheting in too.

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By Toni Pennello

[email protected]

Toni Pennello is a Wilkes University senior who works in the Times Leader newsroom.