Spring break is rapidly approaching, which means I will make the two-hour, 45 minute drive to Buffalo, NY, to soak up the intense rays of sunshine that always span across western New York in early March.

Well, since that’s an obvious lie and Buffalo receives little to no form of sunshine from late November until the beginning of April, my decision to travel home is the result of simply needing peace. From my experience as a booked college student, protecting your peace is essential.

For me, safeguarding my tranquility is as follows: spending time with family, waking up at 9:00 a.m. instead of 7:00 a.m., ordering takeout from my favorite local spots, squeezing in a bike ride if the sun actually does decide to peek through the clouds and filling my days with restorative activities that I deserve after a busy semester so far.

And this isn’t selfish. This form of self-care is necessary for college students that are tired, stressed and busy for all waking hours. But, it’s also something that I have worked at accepting over the course of my college career.

Rest is actually productive and beneficial. You are worthy of the same exact treatment and acceptance, regardless of your productivity during a specific day.

It’s a simple concept that’s difficult to explain or execute, but it works. It’s unique to each individual, it’ll vary person to person, but protecting your own peace will always open avenues for new ideas, abilities and means of giving back to the world around you.

So, although I’ll miss out on the standard spring break festivities, I’m anticipating the glorious returns that are associated with living a life of peace for just a handful of days. I’ll be thrilled if the sun actually does decide to show itself, but I’ll be equally content if I can feel refreshed, energized and restored after this break.

On my return to campus, the hope is that I feel productive once again, and that I can complete tasks and be present throughout all my involvements. Simultaneously, I’m looking forward to celebrating some key moments within my final semester, especially as the days begin to fade. Above all, though, I am always eager to protect my peace.