As I can be the queen of procrastination, I was looking for a diversion from the stack of exams I need to  grade before submitting this semester’s grades for Advanced Legal Research.  So, I used my RIPS Blog post as an excuse, and I walked around, asking my law library colleagues their thoughts about what is great about this time of year, and what may not be so great.   Here is a list of what we came up with:

Doodles of what sparks joy from BC Law Library students and staff.

Things that are great about December

  • Knowing that the holiday semester break is fast approaching, and we will all be getting some time to recharge and relax
  • Holiday staff get togethers where we can kick back and enjoy some time with our coworkers
  • Cheery holiday lights and festive decorations, even in library offices
  • Seeing family and friends, this year maybe for the first time in several years
  • Holiday cookies and treats
  • Hearing holiday music, old favorites along with some new takes on the classics 
  • Hitting that submit button on grades for the semester
  • Seeing students when they have finished exams, relief on their faces
  • That first snowfall, and maybe even a white Christmas
  • Time to reflect on the fall semester, and plan some new approaches to teaching for next semester
  • Smells of the season, like pine, cinnamon, and cookies baking
Decorations created by BC Law Library staff as part of the library holiday celebration.

Things that are not so great about December

  • Walking through the library, seeing all the tired faces and hearing all the coughing
  • Tackling all those papers and exams that need grading
  • For those in LIS programs, looming papers and projects due dates
  • How short the days are – arriving and leaving work in the dusk or dark
  • Getting used to the colder weather 
  • Hat hair
  • The first time this season when you slip on ice or snow 
  • Seeing so many stressed out students
  • Your bank account balance (after shopping)
  • Traveling headaches such as flight delays, crowded airports, and traffic on the roads
  • Too much holiday music (we all have a threshold)
  • The local traffic, especially around stores and malls
  • Trying not to get sick when it seems sickness is all around
  • For students, exams and the holidays coming at the same time (comment from a 3L)
  • Eating too many cookies and treats
More decorations from the talented BC Law Library staff.

What do you enjoy most about this time of year? Anything that you are happy to see pass by? Take some time and procrastinate with me.

Wishing you more of the first list than the second, along with peace and joy for this holiday season.