For the past few days, the state of Louisiana has been covered in water. The non-stop rain led to closed roads, stores, restaurants, and, much to the relief of us college students, cancelled classes. However, the relief of not having to trek through high water to get to class wears off when you realize the reality of the situation, and you’re stuck in your dorm with nothing to eat but those last six pizza rolls and absolutely nothing to do.
So, whether you’ve got today off or you need ideas for the future, here’s a list of things to add some color to your dark, rainy day off:
1. Volunteer
Flash floods can be inconvenient for many, but for some, they’re devastating. Evacuated neighborhoods, lost homes, and car accidents leave lots of people in need, and there are usually lots of ways to help out. The American Red Cross and a lot of churches have shelters that could definitely use volunteers. Also, the food bank could always use help. If you can find a safe route, this would be a great way to spend your day off!
2. Sleep in
If you can’t find a safe route out of your dorm or apartment, today would be a good day to just sleep through your alarm. It’s safe to say that in a normal week, we college students probably don’t get enough sleep. With papers, deadlines, and the infamous procrastination, it’s easy to find yourself staying up until 2 or 3 o’clock in the morning trying to get stuff done, which can have some really bad effects on your mind, your skin, and even your mental health. So do your body a favor, and sleep in as long as you want. With no tests to take and nowhere to be, you can hit snooze as many times as you like—or not set your alarm at all!
3. Homework
Eh, who am I kidding? Go back to sleep.
4. That thing you've been wanting to do but haven't had time
If you’re like me, sometimes school can get so overwhelming, you feel like you can’t afford to think about anything else. You could be doing laundry or even eating dinner and feel guilty that you’re not studying—forget about doing anything for fun. Sometimes, you wish you could just pause your life for a day or two and not have to worry about what you should be doing.
Well, today is your day. Read that book that’s been sitting on your shelf for ages. Start that new Netflix series. Life’s too short to not enjoy things, so take a hint from Mother Nature and take a break. Do something that makes you happy.
5. Have a board game party
Everyone knows rainy days and board games go perfectly together. Since you and your friends are already stuck on campus together, why not have the ultimate rainy-day-fun-day? I can’t think of a better way to brighten up a dreary day than being in a room with friends and laughing over Monopoly or Apples to Apples. Plus, you’ll have a great memory.
6. Clean
Since you’re stuck inside anyway, you might as well. It can actually be really fun if you have a playlist of your favorite songs blasting at top volume. (Or maybe a happy medium volume. Wouldn’t want to aggravate your roommate when you’re stuck together like this.) And who knows? Maybe having a tidy living space might actually motivate you to get that homework done after all.
