Consider yourself on the last day of the term before going on break–excited to return home, to meet relatives and friends you haven’t seen since September. You’re looking forward to sleeping in your own bed, and doing your laundry without a timer ticking down the seconds, and people breathing down your neck. Now imagine that you didn’t have that option—that you didn’t have the opportunity to return home—and had to spend your entire break at Union. What would your reaction be? 

It’s safe to think that you’d know the obvious answer: no. Choosing between the option of staying in the comfort of your home and staying at Union is a no-brainer. However, what if you didn’t have that choice? What if your only option was to stay at Union College and make it your home? This is the reality for myself, along with a handful of Union College students.

Judging from the reactions of shock, horror, and pity upon learning this fact, coming back from break seemingly would be anyone else’s worst nightmare. For me, honestly, it was fine. Of course, a majority of the food services of Union Hospitality being closed, and only Rathskeller being open Monday through Friday was a challenge. Yet, it wasn’t as horrible as one may make it out to be, and there is reason to believe it’s simply because we had no choice. Union is our home, whether we like it or not, and we treat it as such. 

For me, that’s staying up until 4 a.m. rearranging my side of the room for the millionth time, trying to see what looked the most inviting. For others, it’s buying enough groceries to fill your mom’s cabinet, and cooking with friends stuck in the same situation. It is a common theme. 

With that being said, we have to adapt. It’s almost as if it’s common nature to make the best out of what others consider to be the worst. It genuinely is the only option that some of us have. Adapting is our built-in defense from being depressed, lonely, and rotting in our rooms. I think that’s why a majority of us looking back didn’t hate it so much. In some way, this experience served as a lesson for myself and others in completely different situations—those who could go home over break. If you take anything from my opinions here, I hope it to be this: learn to appreciate the opportunities you have, recognize those that you don’t, and make the most of each thing that comes your way.