By Joseph Abraham, Editor-in-Chief

Like most college students, I was ecstatic once I headed home for winter break. Aside from obsessively checking to see if my grades had been posted, I was ready to relax after another busy semester.

It has become a tradition that I spend the holidays with my relatives to the north. Sitting in a car for the 12 hour commute from North Carolina to upstate New York gave me an opportunity to reflect on my life, and face the reality that next semester will be my last. Following graduation in May, my peers and I will venture out into a world filled with challenges, especially during the job search.

A few weeks ago, The Carolinian’s Daniel Wirtheim wrote an excellent column about a time he had taken a trip to Denmark. In his column he mentions the lack of sunlight and constant darkness in the winter there. I thought about this on my way to New York as the second I left Maryland and entered Pennsylvania, the sun vanished almost instantaneously. Cloudy skies dominated the scene and snow flurries began falling. While Pennsylvania and New York are not Denmark, it seemed like I was entering America’s version.

The sudden weather change made me think about graduation. Walking across the stage and receiving a diploma will bring undoubted excitement, but once the pictures with friends and family are over, our excitement will quickly switch to nervousness about what lies ahead.

Usually my winter breaks consist of eating, sleeping and getting the rare opportunity to enjoy some snow.

However, this year is different. In between enjoying Christmas cookies, catching up with relatives, shoveling snow and opening gifts, I will be start preparing to contact potential employers. I am going to edit my resume, scan past articles to create an electronic portfolio and think about what I will write in to newspapers that interests me.

I have always been a thinker with images constantly flashing through my head as I think of hypothetical scenarios, like my own personal movie theater. When pursuing a career in journalism, opportunities are few and you have to be willing to go wherever you can to get a job. Combine this with my tendency to consider the hypothetical and it is easy to ponder what the future holds.

So far my break is off to a great start. I have spent some time with family and had the opportunity to attend a Christmas party that collected toys for families in need. The Christmas party was very entertaining as I watched some local bands (one of which was Polka), saw an America’s Got Talent contestant and listen to an old comedian named Gallagher tell jokes while smashing watermelons. The funniest part of the party was how it took place beside a room that hosted a very expressive religious revival.

Last semester went by extremely fast and I know that the spring will go by quicker. While my brain is filled with questions about the future and I have a lot to do to prepare for job applications, I will make sure I enjoy the holiday season, as well as any other experiences this break throws my way.