Winter break is in full bloom. Snow is on the ground and all the thermometers read a degree in the negative numbers. While some students are already returning to their institution, many of us still have a few weeks. Though it seems like there isn't much to do, the list of all the things you can accomplish before departing is endless. Instead of laying around the house, consider some of these productive options to make the most of your final days of the holiday break.

1. Fix your sleeping schedule.

Yes, getting up at eight every morning can be a struggle. Going to bed at midnight can be even more of a challenge. Though it seems easier to just sleep the day away and become nocturnal, fix your sleeping schedule. Set an alarm in the morning and at night so you know when to go to bed. Don't waste your day by sleeping deep into the afternoon. You'll feel sluggish and end up realizing your period of freedom from homework and annoying classmates went by far more quickly than it should have.

2. Cut back on the junk food.

Surprisingly, it's easy not to gain the dreaded freshman fifteen. I for sure thought I was going to have trouble fitting into my jeans, but I managed to escape the first semester with every pair fitting the exact same as when I started the school year. However, that doesn't mean you have to let up while at home. With cupboards and a refrigerator easily accessible, the natural instinct of munching on some chips whenever you feel like it comes back to you while you're away from your dorm. That doesn't mean you have to give in. Try to eat healthier options like fruits and raw vegetables for snacks instead of salty or sweet delights. What is done now may follow you back to the dining hall, and just because you avoided the fifteen pounds the first semester doesn't mean you will the second time around.

3. Earn a little cash.

Cash is tempting. It wants to be spent, whether on a chicken taco that will be devoured in seconds or an impulse purchase on a pair of ripped jeans. Before checking out, think of all the bills you owe for deciding to attend an expensive university in hopes of achieving a degree for receiving a higher education. Save and invest, my friend. If you do plan to spend some money, don't be afraid to pick up an extra shift or two at a job you worked at during the summer. Odd jobs are always available as well, like babysitting or walking dogs in the neighborhood. Nothing beats being able to go back to school with a couple extra dollars in your back pocket.

4. Find an exercise you enjoy.

Remember when you told yourself you were going to work out more but you keep finding excuses to avoid exercising? Well now is the time to find a fitness plan you enjoy. Food is available everywhere, but there is nothing fun about gaining a few extra pounds in the month you are home. Instead of laying in your bed in the same pajamas from three days ago, hit the gym. Find a routine that makes you feel good when you're done. Hit the treadmill or the weights. If you're stuck, online videos and plans can be found and you can tailor them to your own personal likes and dislikes. Starting now will get you in the habit of going to the gym, and you'll much more accomplished with yourself then if you were to watch a ten season long series in the span of three days.

5. Edit your old notes.

It's winter break, the key word being "break." It might seem ridiculous to even consider doing anything related to school, but it is much more beneficial than what it sounds. In my fall semester, I enrolled in an introductory-level psychology class. I found an appreciation for the subject and decided to enroll in two more similar courses in the spring. Over break, I edited my notes to the standards I wanted for them because I desired to use them in my future classes. I enjoy being organized, so I categorized the notes in a small binder for easier searchability. Amending my notes also helped me refresh on the topics I learned the previous months, putting me a step ahead of some of the other students who enrolled in the same classes.

Hopefully a few of these will find their way into your life before you depart for your upcoming semester. If not, at least you have a few ideas of what to do over spring break.