Countdown: The 10 Best Things about Winter Break

Well, collegiettes, we have reached the home stretch. As many of us are waiting in 30-minute long Starbucks lines, falling asleep in the Atrium in the wee hours of the morning, or throwing our hands up in the air in frustration over our cumulative divisional exams, it is tempting to just give up. But, collegiettes, pretty soon we will have plenty of time devoted to resting and recharging. Winter break is almost here, which means you’ll have an entire month with your family and friends over the holidays. After another tough semester, you will be free to enjoy the break you deserve. So, keep trekking through your studies and remember what’s in store for you. Enjoy this countdown of the Top 10 Best Things about Winter Break!

10. Holiday Music

Starting off at number 10, Holiday music is a great thing about the holidays. No matter what style you like (classics, covers by famous artists, country, etc) there is a holiday song for you. Holiday songs are all about love, cozying up by the fire, and great times spent with family, so what’s not to love?

9. Hot Chocolate, Cookies, and Holiday Sweets

After you’ve listened to every holiday song ever created, dive into a mug of rich hot chocolate and a plate full of cookies. Holiday sweets and treats are everywhere this time of year and you should treat yourself (in moderation of course!) for all the hard work you’ve put in this semester.

8. No Homework

Number 8 on the list is no homework. Absolutely. No. Homework. All of the other breaks throughout the semester have assignments hanging over your head, test dates quickly approaching, or in-progress papers. Winter break is blissfully free of any and all academics since your classes have officially ended. Use all of your new-found free time to enjoy everything else on this list.

7. The Weather

This one can go two ways. Either you live in a cold city and can enjoy lots of snow, crisp days, and rosy cheeks. Or, you may live in someplace warm (or vacation there!) and can enjoy sunshine in December and maybe even the beach. Either way, winter break is a great time to get outside and enjoy the weather.

6. Winter activities like sleigh rides, sledding, and bonfires

Since you are already enjoying the weather, it’s time to do some winter specific activities like sledding, a sleigh ride, ice skating, or a bonfire. When the weather turns cold, these activities are a blast to enjoy with your family and friends. Bundle up and take a sleigh (or carriage) ride around a big city or grab a cute boy and hold his hand while you ice skate!

5. Home Cooking

Number 5 is home cooking. You are obviously so, so, so over the Pit by now and nothing is better than enjoying some home cooking over winter break. Ask a parent to whip up one of your favorites for your first night home; this special welcome is a great treat!

4. Sleeping in…in your own bed

Now that you don’t have homework, you can sleep in as much as you want. No annoying roommate, hallmate, suitemate, or anyone else to disturb your slumber. And the best part, bye bye twin bed! You can get some shut eye in your own bed, finally; flannel sheets and body pillow included.

3. Favorite hometown haunts

Now into the top three, a great part of winter break is enjoying your hometown haunts. I get it when you say only your favorite girl at the salon back home can get your bangs just right and I totally understand when you say only your favorite boutique carries the absolute best jeans. Take advantage of these places while you’re back home, they will welcome you back with open arms, I promise.

2. Friends

Number two on the list is friends. While obviously your Wake friends are incredibly important, there is something about seeing your high school best friends who have known you forever. If you are an upperclassman, your Wake friends are probably closer with you than any high school friends but don’t let that stop you from seeing them. If you are a freshman, you are most likely dying to see your high school friends. Rant about your roommate, the hot guy in your calc class, and all the studying you do at “Work Forest,” they love you and will gladly listen if you do the same for them!

1. Family

Finally, family is number one. Although they drive you crazy sometimes, the holidays are the perfect time to put your differences aside and come together. Bake cookies with your mom, trim the tree with your dad, or go see a movie with your little sister. While it’s easy to forget you even have a family while you’re away at college, being home with them is what the holidays are all about.