I was incredibly lucky this semester. I had one virtual final, and the rest of my finals were projects. So, I was able to take a bus and go home early!
While it was an amazing thing to go home an entire week early, it has dawned on me that I have no idea what to do for four weeks! There’s no homework, no college friends, and no gym.
On one hand, I would like to stay active and fill up my time efficiently. But, on the other hand, I just want to sleep and eat all day. Both of these sides are completely normal, especially if bored.
So, five days into break, here is what I have devised to appease both sides.
- Watch a movie (In the theater or at home)
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Plenty of new movies are coming out in the theaters! “Avatar: the Way of Water,” “Emancipation,” “Smile” and “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” are just a few coming out in theaters.
My family is planning to see “Avatar; the Way of Water” this weekend!
Or, if you do not want to go to the movie theater, rewatch one of your favorites!
- bake
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With the holidays coming up, go all out on baking!
Today, I baked gluten-free snowball cookies and sugar cookies. Later in the week, my family is going to ice the sugar cookies together. Baking can be a de-stressor alone, a fun family activity or a bonding experience with friends.
Personally, I love making homemade pasta. It takes a couple of hours, but it tastes amazing! Baking can be a stress-free, low-key activity that won’t make you feel like a couch potato!
- see your high school friends
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Everybody loves their college friends. They are the people you laugh, cry, work, live, workout, party and more with. But, it is okay if we need a break sometimes! We spend months together. Going home can be a nice, healthy separation.
Spend some time with the people that have known you since you were little. It can be nice catching up with them or just being with people that have known you forever.
- reconnect with your pet
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I think this goes without saying. But, give your dog, cat, lizard, snake, fish or whatever else some well-deserved attention! I know that I missed my dog more than anyone else in my family. So, remember to give them some extra snuggles.
- spend time with your family
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I know that this is what everyone will be doing. But, it is still a nice reminder.
I think we forget how much our younger siblings look up to us, so ask them what has been happening in their life. We don’t always see how much our older siblings miss our company, so spend some quality time with them.
Get up early to spend some time with your mom. And, stay up late hanging out with your dad. There is only so much time left to spend time with your parents and siblings on break because before you know it, we will all be back at school.
- start a scrapbook
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Missing fall semester? Document it!
Scrapbooks are a fun way to craft and look back at all the memories made over the semester. You can use any empty book, fun colored papers and funky markers. Use those old football tickets, pom-pom shreds or mementoes. It is a fun, time-consuming activity that will keep you off your electronics.
- set yourself up for success next semester
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If you are like me, you are already getting anxious for next semester. And, while you should not interrupt your relaxation time, it is okay to get prepared for next semester.
Here is a little checklist for next semester: Look at the reviews for your new professors. Check out what textbooks you will need for your classes. Get your 2023 planner. Add your classes to your calendar.
- Do some low-key exercise
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At home, it might be a lot harder to have access to a gym. Or, frankly, you might just not want to go to the gym.
If you feel like you are going crazy without exercise, do some small exercices to keep you feeling good! Go on a hot girl walk or jog, do some yoga or practice some calisthenics.
It is your time to relax, and you get to choose what you want to relax! Don’t feel pressure to go insane at the gym. Or, if that is the way you feel good, go all out!
- read a book
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We spend so much time reading at school. We read the long chapters from our professors’ books, articles online, textbooks and so much more.
But, many of us rarely have the time or energy to enjoy a recreational book during the school year. So, this is the time to sit back and relax with your favorite book!
- Make some money!
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Make some money if you are bored! Go back to that old high school job, or find a well-paying job for breaks!
While it is healthy to de-stress over break, there is no shame in making money for bills, loans or spending money for the semester.
- Enjoy your bed
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And, most importantly, reacquaint yourself with your bed!
Many of us pretty much don’t sleep for four months straight. So, enjoy your fuzzy blankets, puffy pillows and old bed. Relax into the familiarness of your own room. And, catch up on some well-needed sleep!
Winter break is a good separation from school. It is a time to relax, spend time with family, and rejuvenate ourselves for the next semester. During this big chunk of time, there is a lot of free time we may not know what to do with.
So, sit down and relax! Enjoy the quietness, calmness, and easiness of break!