With the COVID-19 situation constantly evolving, and many people contracting the new Omicron variant, many plans were canceled at the start of winter break. But those who were able to travel went to a variety of places. 

“I first went to Phoenix, Arizona, helped my mom move,”  Jett McKinney ‘22 said. “I basically worked the whole time. I wish [the break] was longer. And I wish I worked more.” 

Despite the recent travel restrictions, some students were able to have a magical holiday.

“I went to Yosemite National Park and visited San Francisco. We went during a winter storm, so the snow covering the trees was beautiful,” Phoebe Tabers ‘23 said. “For the first part of break I hung out with friends, it was refreshing to just be able to socialize after midterms.”

While many spent the holidays traveling and spending time with friends and family, others were forced to deal with the onset of Omicron, due to the rising number of cases all over the country.

“I got sick for the last week of break, so I missed out on the extra fun I could’ve had. I totally wish we had more time to relax in between semesters,” Tabers said.

The transition from winter break to school has been difficult for many students. From mental attitude to sleep schedules, several students found the adjustment challenging.

“My sleep schedule got really messed up one week. I [stayed up from] New Year’s Eve [to] New Year’s Day,” McKinney said.

Returning to school in the middle of the week also seemed sudden for many students. 

“I enjoyed the break but I didn’t like how they ended it on a Wednesday, they should have just let the week finish out then end the break,” Parker Sanders ‘23 said.

Other students would rather be back at home than in-person this semester. 

“I miss virtual learning. If I could go back to virtual learning, if I could pay to be virtual online I would. [I’d buy] a 20-week subscription,” McKinney said.

The winter break was eventful for many students, with breaks ranging from beautiful traveling destinations to staying home sick. As the Omicron variant continues to spread throughout Texas, it remains to be seen how the holiday cases will affect the start of the semester.