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Hey there!

So, I just wrapped up my first semester at university, and let me tell youit was a whirlwind. Between lectures, assignments, exams, and all the new experiences, I barely had time to breathe. When the holidays finally came around, I promised myself I’d take it slow, unwind, and do things that actually made me happy. And that’s exactly what I did.

In this post, I’m sharing how I spent my first semester holiday from the quiet days indoors to the beach breeze, birthday parties, mini adventures, and those late night reflections that sneak up on you. It wasn’t a luxury vacation or a grand tour, but it was real, refreshing, and everything I didn’t know I needed.

Here’s how it all went down.

The Early Days: Embracing Stillness

The first few days of the holiday were pretty uneventful and honestly, I didn’t mind at all. I stayed indoors for the most part, just catching my breath after the chaos of the semester. I slept in a lot, binged a few shows I’d been putting off, and finally picked up that novel I’d been trying to finish since forever. It felt good to be lazy for a while no deadlines, no alarms, just peace.

Family Time During Easter

Easter brought the whole family together. We travelled to see some relatives and spent the weekend laughing, eating, and making new memories. We went to church together on Sunday morning, and afterwards, we had a big family lunch. It was one of those rare moments where everyone was fully present, no distractions. Afterwards, we took a short road trip to a resort surrounded by nature. It was calm, refreshing, and honestly, just what we all needed.

A Solo Trip to the Beach

I took a solo trip to the beach one sunny afternoon. I just wanted to clear my head, hear the waves, and have a bit of quiet time by myself. I walked along the shore, ate grilled fish from a vendor, and just relaxed. Watching the sunset over the water was the highlight of that day. I left the beach feeling calm, like I’d pressed a reset button on my mind.

Birthday Parties and Social Outings

I ended up going to a couple of birthday parties too. One was this surprise rooftop party that had the best view of the city lights. The other was a laid-back garden party with games, music, and loads of food. I reconnected with old friends, danced like no one was watching, and laughed way too much. It reminded me how good it feels to just let loose and enjoy the moment.

Exploring Culture: A Visit to the Museum

One of the more interesting things I did was visit a museum. I’d always passed by it but never actually went in. It turned out to be a great experience. There were so many artefacts, artworks, and exhibits about Nigerian history and culture. It made me appreciate where I come from a lot more. I took loads of pictures and even bought a small souvenir.

Cinema Dates and the Joy of Movies

I went to the cinema a few times too sometimes with friends, sometimes alone. There’s something about the big screen, the smell of popcorn, and the sound of the opening credits that just makes me happy. I watched all kinds of films and had fun just soaking in the stories. One time, we even stayed back after a movie to debate the plot twist for an hour. Good times.

Retail Therapy: A Well-Deserved Shopping Spree

Toward the end of the holiday, I treated myself to a shopping spree. I’d saved up a bit, and it felt good to finally splurge. I bought clothes, skincare products, and even picked up a few gifts for my siblings. There’s a certain joy that comes from walking around a mall with bags in both hands, knowing you earned it.

Discovering the Joys of Local Life

I also explored my neighbourhood a bit more. I went to the local market with my mum and tried some new snacks. I visited a café that had this cool ‘book exchange’ shelf and ended up trading one of my old books for a memoir I really enjoyed. Sometimes, the best adventures are right around the corner.

Trying New Things

I tried painting, yoga, and even baked meat pies from scratch. Not everything turned out perfect especially my first painting but I had fun trying. Yoga was harder than it looked, but after a few sessions, I started to feel more relaxed and energised.

Catching Up on Personal Development

I didn’t want the whole break to go by without doing something productive, so I took an online course in digital marketing. It was surprisingly fun, and I learned a lot. I also joined a virtual seminar on personal branding, and it got me thinking seriously about my future goals.

Moments of Self-Reflection

There were nights I’d lie awake just thinking about life, journaling my thoughts, and planning ahead. I made a vision board, wrote down a few goals, and reflected on how much I’ve grown since starting uni. It felt good to just pause and take stock.

Reconnecting with Old Friends

I ran into an old classmate at the mall, and we ended up talking for hours. That led me to reach out to a few more people I hadn’t spoken to in a while. We even had a small hangout that turned into one of the best nights of my break. There’s something special about reconnecting and realising some bonds never really fade.

Preparing to Return to Campus

As the holiday neared its end, I started getting ready for school again. I bought supplies, ironed clothes, and mentally prepared myself. This time around, I felt more confident like I knew what I was walking into and what I wanted to achieve.

Gratitude and Lessons Learned

More than anything, I felt grateful. Grateful for rest, for laughter, for growth. This holiday reminded me that peace doesn’t always come from doing big things, it’s in the little moments, the ones we often take for granted.

Conclusion

Looking back, my first semester holiday was exactly what I needed. It had a bit of everything, fun, rest, growth, and plenty of memories. It reminded me to slow down, enjoy life, and make time for the things and people that matter. I’m going back to school feeling recharged and ready to take on the next chapter.