The Peel — Holiday Edition

A Season to Slow Down and Reset

The holidays arrive right when the academic year starts to feel heavy. You’ve been managing exams, labs, long study nights, and rotations or IPPE commitments—all while learning how to balance deadlines with everything else happening in your life. Pharmacy school can move quickly, and it’s easy to push from one task to the next without a real pause.

This edition is built to give you something lighter: practical wellness steps, small professional development ideas, a simple recipe section with a holiday theme, and a grounding close to carry you into the new year. And if you’re looking for flexible work that fits around classes or rotations, Grapefruit Health is always an option for gaining patient-interaction experience without adding pressure to your schedule.

NAPLEX Preparation

Question of the Week 📚

Build Your January Plan Now!

It is tempting to wait for the new year to get organized, but planning while you are calm often produces better routines. Take ten quiet minutes this week to map out what you want January to look like academically. Pick one anchor: a weekly review session, a dedicated practice-question block, or a time you always revisit tricky topics.

Once you choose an anchor, build one or two supporting habits around it. The goal is not to overhaul everything at once - just to start with a structure that reduces decision fatigue when classes pick up again. A solid plan now means fewer stressful weeks later.

Small Actions with Big Payoff

The holiday break is a good moment to update your resume or jot down accomplishments from the past semester. You do not need a full overhaul; just capture the things you may forget later. Think about small moments where you showed clarity during a clinical rotation, communicated with confidence, or managed a task well under pressure.

Those memories fade faster than you expect, but they carry weight during interviews and applications. If you plan to apply for internships, fellowships, or leadership programs in the spring, keeping these notes now makes the process smoother.

A Reset You Can Actually Feel

Winter rest works best when it is built from small, predictable cues that tell your body it is safe to slow down. Instead of thinking about rest as a vague idea, try a short routine you can repeat on any busy day.

Start with three steps:

1. Release physical tension.
   Roll your shoulders backward ten times, unclench your jaw, and place one hand on your abdomen to steady your breathing. These movements interrupt the stress cycle faster than you expect.

2. Create a low-stimulation moment.
   Turn off overhead lights, switch to a lamp, and put your phone out of reach for five minutes. Light changes alone can calm your nervous system.

3. Add one grounding action.
   Choose something small and consistent: soak your feet, place a warm compress on your neck, or stretch your wrists and lower back. Pick what feels doable, not elaborate.

When you string these steps together, you get a reset that works even on days when you are running on limited energy. The goal is not perfection; it is a few dependable habits that help your body shift out of constant alertness.

Easy Holiday Recipes

The holidays are busy enough, so this list keeps things simple. These recipes are quick, comforting, and easy to make in a small kitchen. Whether you are studying, traveling, or resting at home, a warm bite can make the week feel a little softer.

• Peppermint Hot Cocoa Mix (Make-Ahead): A simple jar mix you can keep on your counter all month. Add hot milk or water for an instant warm drink.

• Gingerbread Overnight Oats: Oats, milk, molasses, cinnamon, and ginger. Festive, filling, and completely no-cook.

• Cinnamon Sugar Roasted Pecans: Four ingredients, quick bake, and perfect for snacking during study sessions.

• Cranberry Orange Mug Cake: A fast microwave dessert with bright citrus and dried cranberries for a holiday twist.

• One-Pan Cranberry Chicken: Chicken thighs roasted with cranberries, rosemary, and garlic. Cozy flavor with almost no cleanup.

If you try any of these, make enough to share with a roommate or classmate - you might be surprised how far a small homemade treat goes during a long week. Enjoy the warmth, and let your kitchen give you a little break from everything else on your plate.

Freshly Squeezed Jokes 🍊

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One Last Thing 💡

This season marks a turning point in your academic year. You’ve handled far more than most people see—late nights, difficult exams, long stretches of studying, and the steady effort of becoming the clinician you’re training to be. The break ahead is a chance to rest in ways that school rarely allows.

Take the space you need, recover without guilt, and step into the new year with a clearer head. We’ll be here in January with new resources, steady support, and a fresh start. Happy holidays, and take good care of yourself.

—
The Grapefruit Health Team