Allyne May I. Abayon
University of the Visayas
Since students are on vacation and back-to-school season is fast approaching, many of us feel like we just blinked—and suddenly, the break is over. What was supposed to be weeks of rest, fun and new experiences often turns into days we barely remember.
At the start of the vacation, students often feel excited. No more schoolwork, no more deadlines—just time to rest and do the things they missed. But as the days pass, we begin to realize something: breaks don’t feel as long as we thought they would.
“I had so many plans, but I kept saying, ‘I’ll do it tomorrow,’” shared Rosebelle Sullivan, a senior high school graduate from Advance Institute of Technology. “Then suddenly, the break was almost done, and I hadn’t done half of what I wanted.” She said she planned to read, clean her room and meet her old classmates—but time moved quickly while she was mostly on her phone or just resting.
Some students enjoyed their break so much that they lost track of time. Rosebie Lavandero, a freshman at National University, shared, “I spent my vacation visiting many places and enjoying time with friends and family.” For her, the break was full of fun moments, but it also felt like it ended too quickly. She said that even with all the fun, she now wishes she had balanced it better with preparing for college.
Kayesha Valmoria, an incoming college student at the University of Visayas, said she learned something important during the break. “If you don’t manage your time, the break goes by so fast,” she said. Kayesha spent the first week helping at home and the rest thinking she still had enough time left. “I wanted to start doing advanced study for college, but I waited too long. Now I wish I started earlier,” she added.
For many students, breaks feel short not because they are really short—but because time passes quickly when we’re not fully present. Plans get delayed, and before we know it, we’re back to packing our bags and preparing for school again.
While it’s okay to rest and take a break from the stress of academics, it’s also important to do at least one meaningful thing during the vacation. It doesn’t have to be big—meeting a friend, trying something new, or even waking up early to enjoy the morning.
Vacations may end fast, but the way we use our time can make a difference. As we look back at the break, some may feel regret, while others feel peace. Either way, it’s a reminder: time doesn’t wait—so live it while it’s yours.
As the next school year begins, may we bring not just our bags but also the lessons we learned about time, rest and being present.