There’s something pleasant about exam break. That is if you forget the impending doom, anxiety-inducing content, sleepless nights, regret, lack of motivation, vows to start earlier next semester and general stress. Otherwise: pleasant!

Because during exam break, you can become a recluse for three weeks — longer, if you really push yourself. But then again, this life has a few consequences that won’t immediately reveal themselves.

#1 PRO: Warmth

This is an easy one. It’s cold outside. It’s warm inside. You’re not allowed to wear ugg boots outside (no, really it’s not appropriate library wear) but as a recluse, they’re a mandatory uniform. Same principle applies to fluffy hoodies.

Becoming a recluse means you invest in comfort. The highlight of my week last week was buying a new blanket so now I have a Couch Blanket and a Bed Blanket and a Desk Blanket. They are all perfectly suited in their density, weight and movability. Only with strict reclusiveness does one reach this level of blanket management.

#2 PRO: Low Maintenance Living

Avoiding interaction with the general public is amazing for low maintenance living. No hair washing, makeup, nice clothes or, most importantly, no bra wearing. This is comfortable AND good for your health.

Giving your skin a break from makeup and soap will be the cure to stopping those stress-induced breakouts in their tracks. Living in trackies also means less laundry.

Also did I mention no bra?

#3 PRO: Saving Money

Never leaving home means that you can’t spend any money. Well, not in physical shops at least — online shopping is an entirely productive form of procrastination that I fully condone. Staying in means no parking tickets at uni, no buying a thousand $4 coffees, lunches or UberEats deliveries to the library.

Cooking up a big batch of pasta and investing in a loaf of bread means delicious toasties and carb loading for days – all for about $20 in total. A bag of donuts is also only $2 from Coles. Just saying.

#4 PRO??? Productivity

This is questionable. As a recluse I’ve already watched the entire new season of Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt and its only been out a week. But! I have also been very productive.

At uni there are distractions and friends and memes but there is also a certain pressure to get things done. Plus, being at uni means you’ve got easy access to your lecturers and tutors to ask questions during consult hours or get feedback.

On this point, it’s important to utilise the best of both worlds – be productive at home when you need to focus and be productive at uni when you need to crowdsource help.

#5 CON: Insanity

Cabin fever is 100 per cent a thing. Staying in can cause feelings of restlessness, depression and isolation. It definitely exacerbates procrastination and a lack of motivation. Getting out and about in any way – a coffee catch up, grocery shopping, going to the gym (ha ha ha, just kidding) — is great for boosting your energy. It’s important to remember that the world continues to turn despite the outcome of your accounting exam.

Being a recluse prevents you getting and maintaining perspective on things. A piece of paper does not define you! No one question or equation will determine the rest of your life!

#6 CON: Lack Of Self-Control

While you might save money on food, being a recluse also means the pantry is only one step away. You can try to only buy fun size Kit-Kats in an effort to restrain yourself, but then you just end up eating four tiny Kit-Kats instead of one large one. And you’re left with four times the guilt.

(Lead image: Community/NBC)