By Jennifer Jussel
So your best friend is going skiing in Colorado this college winter break, and your crush is off on some island resort in the Caribbean on a college winter break. What are you supposed to do with all this free time you have at home? Well … whatever you want! Here are ten things to do in winter break you can do to avoid boredom.
1. Go ice skating
Even if it’s just with your little brother, ice skating is a festive winter activity that never gets old. You might fall on your butt a couple of times, sure, but your battle scars will make you that much cooler when you get back on campus.
2. Hang out with your family
Being in college means being away from family practically 24/7, so take some time to let the people supporting your college experience know that you care about them. Whether it’s just sitting and talking by the fire or watching a movie with them during college winter break, they’ll definitely appreciate it.
3. Curl up with a book
Remember way back when, when you used to be able to read for pleasure? Yeah, you actually have time to do that again! Use the long college winter break to get absorbed in a good book — or two! Who knows, maybe it’ll give you a new perspective on life before you start the new semester.
4. Volunteer at an animal shelter
Many animal shelters need extra help during the winter, and if you’re not allergic, it’s a great activity to commit to during the holidays. Cats and dogs make fantastic company when you’re feeling lonely, are a great pick-me-up, and the accomplishment and joy you’ll feel after helping an animal find a home will stick with you all year long.
5. Check out the Christmas lights
Many cities have awesome holiday festivals, including a trail of lights to walk or drive through, photo opportunities, and holiday-themed food from various vendors along the way. Take the chance on your college winter break to go explore, and if your town doesn’t have the best show, try one of the small towns nearby! Many small towns dedicate themselves entirely to decorating for the holiday season each year, and are an absolute delight to see.
6. Get back into an old hobby, or find a new one
If you like to write in your spare time, write a short story or a poem. If you’re an artist, make something. It doesn’t have to turn out perfectly, but doing what you love can make your college winter break winter break a great one.
7. Have a brief love affair with a TV series or movie
I personally recommend “Scrubs,” “Game of Thrones,” and “Jane the Virgin,” all of which are on either Netflix or HBO. But it’s always nice to revisit an old movie series, too, like “Harry Potter” or “The Lord of the Rings.” If some of your friends are in town, you can even make it a Christmas-themed movie night with cookies and hot cocoa!
8. Catch up with high school friends
Your college friends may be in their respective locations, but that doesn’t mean you have to be alone and bored during college winter break. Hit up your old high school friends and find out what they’re up to! Go for a lunch date, go to a movie, or take a walk down memory lane and visit your old high school hangout spots.
9. Pamper yourself
(People, take notes for girlfriend gift ideas.) Paint your nails, take a bubble bath, or try looking up a “self foot massage tutorial,” and treat yourself! It might be cold and unpleasant outside, but that doesn’t mean you can’t be perfectly warm and happy inside your cheap personal spa.
10. Help somebody else out this winter break
Volunteer at the soup kitchen, visit a retirement home with your friends, pick up trash along the beach or in your neighborhood, volunteer to read to children at the local hospital, or anything else you think would benefit more than just yourself this holiday season. Participate in a winter activity that helps the greater good.
Being bored this college winter break is not an option; go try these things do to in winter break!
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About the author
Jennifer grew up in suburban Austin, Texas where she managed to become a balanced mixture of weird, hipster, and nerdy. She now attends Trinity University where she studies music composition, psychology, and creative writing. During her free time, she volunteers with Alpha Phi Omega and Hope Hall.