Like the majority of the population in college, I don’t have the expenses to go on a trip to Cancun or Miami and blow thousands on drinks or whatever it is people do there. This article is for my fellow students that got stuck in their hometown or in their dorms during the break. Here is a list of cost-friendly things to do, all of which have been tested by me.
1. Start a passion project
This could look like uploading your code to GitHub or creating your own website for recruiters to see. You don’t have to be a tech guru for this to happen. Sites like weebly.com have free options and are easy to navigate.
I’ve seen so many people my age start their own podcasts. While I agree there are way too many podcasts going around about meaningless things, it’s a good way to unload your stream of consciousness. You don’t even have to publish it, but it is still cool to say it is something you’ve done.
2. Arts and Crafts
I’ve recently been in touch with specifically my old childhood crafts, like Aqua Beads and Shrinky Dinks. You can go on Amazon to find affordable options and Pinterest always has good inspiration.
Other ideas include friendship bracelets and Perler beads (those beads that stick together when ironed). I’ve noticed that when looking online for ideas, there are more advanced creations that weren’t as accessible as when I was a kid. For example, people have made 3-D figurines from those Perler beads.
If you get really into it, you can even start a little shop. I’ve seen Shrinky Dink art and string bracelets on Etsy.
3. Read
Coming to school has completely stopped my pattern of reading for leisure. Reading for fun is entirely different than reading for a class. Go on goodreads.com for good suggestions. The website goes into every possible subcategory of literature.
Going back to option (1), if you start a blog, a possible idea is to include book reviews.
This suggestion isn’t limited to books; you can watch all the new films that are coming out or revisit the old ones you enjoyed.
4. Catch up with friends
It’s important to check up on your friends–we were reminded of that endlessly at the start of the pandemic, but it is still relevant. We were probably all caught up in our schoolwork to catch up with our friends, but now is the perfect opportunity.
5. Write in a journal
You can try this option if starting a blog is not as appealing. Writing is therapeutic and while it is difficult to remain consistent, it’s always nice to look back on what you wrote.
There are a lot of articles regarding the benefits of journal writing, as it is a way to track self-growth and is a method for self-reflection.
There are a number of ways to achieve these things, but I have found journal writing to be the most accessible.
6. Yoga or exercise of choice
I always said I wanted to try a hot yoga studio down by my apartment but always excused myself from attending because I was busy with school. As someone who is deathly afraid of the gym because I don’t know how to use the equipment, yoga offers a supportive environment. There are even follow-along videos online if you don’t want to pay for a class.
Take advantage of this break to strengthen your body and mind. This can even be done by taking a walk, which can be another method of self-reflection.
