Some schools, like UD, have painfully long winter breaks to accommodate for winter classes. Even for schools who have normal-length winter breaks, that can be a lot of free time. We are so used to being busy all the time with classes, homework, clubs, sports, Greek life, social life, and so forth, that having that much free time over break can end up being super boring. Many of us don’t know how to spend that time because we aren’t used to having it. So without further ado, here are 20 things you can do over winter break to beat the boredom!
Most college students get enough sleep, but winter break is a perfect time to catch some Zs. You don’t have any classes to go to or essays to write, so feel free to sleep in. Don’t even bother setting an alarm, you have nowhere to be.
Many of us don’t pay enough attention to ourselves during the school year and can get lost in work and activities. Take some time while you’re at home to go to the gym, do a face mask, go to the movies, use a fancy bath bomb, or do whatever makes you feel good.
Winter break is a great time to think about fall semester and all you have achieved. Pat yourself on the back for how hard you worked and remember all the fun things you did. Acknowledge where you struggled, forgive yourself, and think about the ways you can improve. This isn’t a time to beat yourself up or compare yourself to anyone else. The only thing that matters is that you have achieved so much and you will go on to achieve so much more!
Not everyone believes in New Year’s resolutions, but new semester resolutions work just as well. Whether your goal is a year-long process or will only last a handful of months, take this time to decide on your goals, write down steps you can take to achieve it, and start implementing it in your life. Ideas include eating healthier, working out more, or procrastinating less.
It is never too early to start looking for jobs, especially if you will be busy in the upcoming semester. Go ahead and search around your community, look online, and ask around. If any job offerings are accepting applications, go ahead and apply. Applying early will make you seem eager and responsible and may help you land the job, and it takes the stress out of looking for one right before spring semester ends. This is also a great time to work on your resume.
Scholarships are available throughout college and for grad school. While you have this free time during winter break, spend a little time searching for scholarships and writing the essays for them, since you may not have time to do so during the school year.
Many of us fall off the wagon of exercising because we are so busy during the school year. While you have some free time, create an exercise schedule that you can continue during the spring semester. Just working out for a half hour or so, three times a week, can be super effective. The key is that it’s something you can stick with. Plus, a routine will help with the inevitable rut you fall into when doing nothing for a long period of time.
Meditating is a great habit to pick up and it’s something a lot of people struggle with. Starting now will give you the time to practice before getting back into a busy school routine. Plus, it can help alleviate some of the stress of the holidays and can help a ton once school is back in session. If meditating is difficult for you, try using an app to help you out! Start with small increments of time, and be patient with yourself.
Lots of schools, including UD, have Spring Recruitment for Greek life. If you have been considering joining a sorority (or fraternity!), decide over winter break whether or not you want to do that and fill out the necessary forms. Most of the time you will need to fill out an online form registering you for recruitment and getting some basic information about you. You may also want to take the time to research Greek life at your school, ask friends about their experiences, and learn about the recruitment process. If you’re already in a sorority or fraternity, now is a great time to get prepared for recruitment and spring events.
Reading a book is a great boredom buster and will really make you feel like an ~adult~. This might be a great time to pick up a self-improvement book if you plan on setting some New Year’s resolutions or even just read that novel you keep hearing about. Reading can definitely teach you new things, spend time by yourself, and feel more productive.
Most of us don’t have time to go to the dentist or doctor during school unless we are sick. Normal check-ups and teeth-cleanings are important to maintaining your health and preventing serious problems in the future. While you’re home, try to get some of these appointments taken care of, even though it’s not the most fun thing to do.
If you are able to travel someplace amazing like Hawaii, go for it! And definitely post all your amazing photos! But even if you can’t afford major travel, taking a day just to go over a couple towns and check out the shops or taking a weekend road trip somewhere nearby can be just as rewarding. In college, we don’t often get to leave our bubble, so winter is the perfect time to get a change of scenery.
Winter holidays have a way of bringing everyone together. Cherish the time you have away from school to spend time with your family whom you don’t get to see during most of the school year. Catch up with your siblings, reassure your parents that your grades are fine, and answer all your grandparents’ questions about college.
One of the best parts of winter break is getting to go home and see your pets. Most students can’t have animals where they live, so when you have time at home, stock up on pictures of your pets. You will thank yourself during the semester when you miss them and have new pictures to look at!
We don’t get to see our old high school friends very often, so while you’re home make the effort to reach out to them. Plan to go see a movie or grab dinner at your favorite restaurant. Even just hanging out at home and catching up with them to hear about their semester can really help strengthen your friendship and reconnect you to your old friends.
Winter is a great time to revamp your wardrobe. Holiday gifts can be added into your closet and you can also go shopping with any gift cards or cash you receive. It’s also important to take out any clothes that don’t fit you well, are worn out, or don’t make you feel comfortable and confident. Think about what style you’d like to have during spring semester, and build a wardrobe based on that.
If your school offers a winter session of classes, this can be a great opportunity to get some credits out of the way, lighten your future workload, try out something new, or maybe even boost your GPA. If not, there are still plenty of local or online courses you can take for fun, and maybe gain some new skills or interests.
While you have the free time this winter, think about starting a new hobby. This could be reading, hiking, playing an instrument, playing a sport, gardening, doing makeup, drawing, painting, or anything your heart desires. Feel free to try things out even if you don’t stick with them. Who knows? Maybe you’ll find something you love.
With the beginning of a new year approaching, winter break can be a great time to get rid of clutter in your life. Donate old clothes that you don’t wear anymore, recycle any papers from the previous semester that you don’t need, and toss anything that you don’t want and can’t be donated. This will create a more peaceful environment to live in and will create more room for the things that add value to your life.
Getting gifts makes everyone excited, but sometimes we forget that this time of year is about giving. There are plenty of ways to give, such as donating to toy drives for families who can’t afford presents or donating old clothes that you no longer want. If you don’t know what present to give somebody, you can always donate to charity on their behalf, and they’re sure to love it!
Featured image source: https://bayance.wordpress.com/2017/11/13/why-i-hate-snow/
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