You sport your white Lands End turtleneck with Aunt Nancy's Christmas gift to you last year: a red oversized sweater with a giant elk on it. You're hot - not sexy, promise - and claustrophobic in the tiny cottage, which is filled to the brim with extended family.
Suddenly Kenny G's holiday album pervades the room, and you know you've lost your mind. Your drunk uncle is spilling scotch on the rocks and forgetting your name, and you can only think about how badly you wish you were back at school.
Exit Christmas nightmare.
Once you enter Collegeville, Christmas just isn't the same.
Yes, this can be devastating because your fleece-footed, zip-up snowflake pajamas have lost their appeal, but on the other hand, being done with those dreadful exams.
Holiday break can be highly stressful or incredibly boring. How do we make it a restful, happy three weeks?
I face three main problems every Christmas season - making time for high school friends I don't really care about, not feeling guilty for wanting to escape my family and, dealing with hostile customers at a retail job. How does one go about remaining sane with these stressors?
Keep life in perspective and smile - it's the holidays.
Friends - feel pleased knowing you're in high demand. I am always happier after I see my favorite high school friends, and getting caught up is exhilarating. After all, if you can think of 1,300 things you'd rather be doing than spending one more second with them, you can always use your family as an excuse. Which leads me to my next point...
Family - they love you unconditionally and will piss you off until the day you die. It's part of the game. Even if you flutter away to visit with bad influences, they will still be happy to see you when you roll in. As for guilt, it's a worthless feeling. Life's too precious to waste a second feeling guilty.
Work - I promised myself I'd never say "Live your life in AE jeans" again, but the dollar signs reeled me in for another holiday season. As for coping, don't overwhelm yourself with too many hours but keep in mind how bored you'll be if you drop it. Make the most out of the opportunity. Don't sweat over hysterical moms who want THIS sweater in a size medium, and feel good knowing that you got the last medium and for 40 percent off.
Relax this holiday. Eat your Grandma's sugar cookies. Play football in the snow. Take advantage of mistletoe. Make it matter.
Merry Christmas, kids.
Chelsea Picken is a sophomore theater major and writes 'A Shot in the Dark' for the Daily News. Her views do not necessarily agree with those of the newspaper.
Write to Chelsea at cppicken@bsu.edu.
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
