Holiday Shopping or Finals?

By Molly Cunha
Staff Writer

Although it is the “most wonderful time of the year,” it can also be one of the most stressful times of the year for college students.

Finishing the semester strong, turning in last minute work, and studying for finals that determine your overall grade is already enough to churn anxiety. Then comes the holidays. Students arrive home for winter break with few days before Christmas, and realize that they have to get gifts for their friends and family with limited time and money.

The best strategy is to look for online deals, to avoid going out to stores, and allow yourself to quickly take a break from studying. “Cyber Monday is a college student’s best friend during the holidays,” Sarah Anthony, a sophomore psychology major, said.

Cyber Monday solves a lot of issues, including limiting expenses, doing your shopping all online, and getting it done quickly and efficiently. The gifts can be mailed right to the student’s mailbox at Post. It also allows the shopping to be completed early, making the rest of the semester less stressful.

It is important to prioritize. Set time aside to get everything done. Whether you are studying, packing to go home, or buying presents, doing one thing at a time will ensure confidence in whatever you are doing. Making to-do lists as well as allocating time to get everything done may help as well.

Other students find end of semester holiday shopping to be a good release from studying. “Christmas shopping at the end of the semester is a form of procrastination”, Amanda Flynn, a junior radiologic technology major, said. It may take time away from studying but it is also a good way to get your mind off all of the school work that has to get done.

The campus bookstore is a convenient place to get gifts for family and friends. Many students’ family and friends like to support the school by wearing Post apparel, and it is right on campus with accessible hours. Utilizing the campus and other resources such as the student-run businesses, such as Browse, Pioneer Nation, and The Student Body boutique helps to get the Christmas shopping done quickly in between studying. The campus shuttle bus also runs to the Broadway Mall in Hicksville every day at various hours for student convenience.