Pens, Paper, Books, and a Hockey Puck.

One of the most beneficial things that students can do for themselves is take a break. Especially this week, when I swear, my classes are giving me more gray hair and headaches than I can keep track of. No lie, Tylenol has been my best friend heading into the final week of classes. Oh, and coffee. Definitely coffee.

But, by far the best thing to relieve stress is when a friend visits from home! My friend Marilyn (we went to high school together) visited this past weekend, and we had a hockey-filled weekend. No secret here, our mutual love for the sport definitely is what drives us to take these great trips, as this year we traveled to Cleveland, Ohio.

One of the best things about Erie is its proximity to three great, sprawling, exciting cities full of fun stuff to do. Cleveland, OH, Pittsburgh, PA and Buffalo, NY are all just about 100 miles in any direction, either on the 90 or the 79.
For this trip, we chose Cleveland, as Marilyn has never been there before. So OBVIOUSLY while in Cleveland, one MUST go to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Which we did.

After the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, we took in a Lake Erie Monsters game, at Quicken Loans Arena. It was a great time, and the Chicago Wolves (whom we were cheering for) won, 6-5 in OT.

So, the lesson learned from this trip? A break does wonders.

Really, it does. Heading into the final week of classes, I feel more focused and prepared to take it day by day and do what I have to to be prepared for my exams next week. There is nothing better than having someone from home visiting you and getting your mind off your work. Letting go for the weekend was the best thing I've done for myself in quite some time.

But now, with finals week quickly approaching, we're all buckling down and working towards the best rewards of all: new classes and some well-deserved time home with our families.