Ok everyone, fall and Thanksgiving break is upon us! For my fellow out of state students where going home is NOT an option, we're going to face the dilemma of an empty campus- everyone who lives nearby is going home, obviously!

I'm a bit of a veteran living on an empty campus, so I'm here to give tips and activities you could do while everyone is gone.

1. Enjoy the emptiness

Most likely, your roommate is going home. So, enjoy your temporary single during the break- play music aloud, watch things without headphones, and more things you couldn't do when your roommate was present.

2. Catch up on things, obviously

With so much free time not filled with loved ones from home, you might as well catch up all the things you wanted to catch up on. You could catch up on TV shows and movies, of course, but you can also catch up on things like books and personal projects. And yes, academic duties and responsibilities could also be a thing you can catch up.

3. Work on a creative expression

Personally, I feel like college is really holding me back on artistic projects I always wanted to do (such as making a webcomic or painting). So, for most breaks, you don't have to focus on assignments you have to do.

So, be creative! Write, draw, dance, and/or sing. Get your juices flowing!!!

4. Go to campus events

My college does campus events for students who are staying on campus during breaks (there is a prominent international community at my college). I didn't go to any last year and pretty much regret it (mostly because those events had free and good food). So, look at events that are happening during breaks.

5. Travel outside campus

For me, my college is just a few hours away from major cities like New York and Boston. I was lucky enough to go on a trip to New York during Thanksgiving. It was around the time that Christmas decorations were being put up- so double the benefits!

6. Hangout with people who are on campus too

You're not the only one that is going to be on campus during these breaks, so don't shut yourself in your dorm (like I did my first few breaks). Go out and spend time with people. Hey, perhaps you'll meet someone new!

7. Walk around campus

Enjoy the vast space the campus has now. No more people blocking pathways and being loud! You can now go to places people have always talked about hanging out or discover new places you wouldn't have seen with other people around.

For me, I was able to go to spots on campus that were usually crowded. With the lack of people, a few of my friends and I were able to utilize that space.

8. Play games

Yes, you could this on the weekends. But, playing games (either board games or video games) during breaks has this magic to it- I guess it's not worrying about tomorrow or the day after. If timed well enough, there will be no one worried about an assignment they have to do the day after tomorrow or tomorrow.

9. Cook

It's possible- trust me. If your roommate is gone, you don't have to worry about getting a certain odor around. Also, there might be a few kitchens on campus you might be able to use (no one else is using it, so why not?).

10. Call Home

You expected this list to be filled with things that don't require loved ones from home- nope! Admit it, you (or you will) miss home when breaks happen. You see all your friends going home and that's honestly a bummer!

So, call home. Not for only yourself but also your family and friends- they miss you too!