1. Spend time with family

One of the best parts about being home from college on winter break is being able to see your family that you haven't seen everyday for months. Enjoy all the family time because as we all know when at college it shortens. Go places, arrange family get togethers. Take all the free time as a chance to catch up with relatives and spend time with your parents and siblings.

2. Plan nights with friends

Whether it is staying in and having a wine night with your girlfriends or going out to dinner and doing something spontaneous. Winter break is the perfect time to catch up with friends from other schools and to have time to see people that you haven't been able to see very often. My go to girls night is romantic comedies, wine and popcorn. This is the perfect way to chat and catch up with everyone and their busy lives.

3. Cook new recipes you've never had the time to try

We all see those videos on Facebook with these recipes that look so cool but we never have the time to actually try them out. Now is the perfect time to get going in the kitchen! Baking new things for everyone to try is a great way to avoid boredom during the long winter break and come on who doesn't love food?

4. Go on a workout binge

Still have that gym membership? Make use of it! If not, do at home workouts! Even some hot yoga can be entirely refreshing. I know that when I come home I spend lots of time at the gym because if not I would probably be sitting at home binge watching Netflix. Now is the perfect time to get back into the gym when there aren't as many other stresses involved like studying for finals. Working out is the perfect stress release.

5. Explore places nearby

Explore your surroundings, go find new coffee shops or restaurants you have been wanting to try out. Another perfect way to hangout with friends. It is always so fun when you find a cool place that you never knew existed right in your own town. As someone from New Hampshire, the city is just 45 minutes away one direction and the beach is only another 45 in the other. This makes finding new places to try out that much more exciting.

6. Take your dog....everywhere (that is if you have one)

My dog is my life. So for just about every car ride, run, hike or trip to Starbucks he comes along for the ride. Incase you are not aware. Starbucks makes puppuccinos which my dog enjoys just about overtime we go. He loves them and they come in the most adorable mini Starbucks cup, it is a must try for your dog!

7. Knit arm scarfs

So this sounds hard but it is so easy! And cheap! All you need is two rolls of yarn in any color you want and your arms! There are how to's on how to make this scarf just about everywhere and it is the most easy and fun way to embrace the winter season. They come out amazing and are so fun to make!

8. Volunteer at local charities

During the season of giving back why not volunteer? I find it so rewarding to volunteer at my local animal shelter where I basically just play with dogs and cats. The animals need the love and attention and it is basically therapy for the volunteer themselves! Whether it is volunteering at the soup kitchen, animal shelter or taking part in any charitable organization it definitely makes the season of giving all the more special.

9. Catch up on your favorite Netflix shows that you never had time to watch

Working out is great but who said there wasn't time for Netflix binging too? As many college students know that our classes, clubs, and jobs on campus take up the majority of our schedules. Although we often procrastinate studying for our favorite series now is the time to catch up on all the shows we did not get to binge watch at school.

10. Enjoy being able to relax

There are so many ways to stay busy over break but also being able to enjoy doing nothing can be refreshing for some college students as busy as myself. With a full class load and a job the weeks at school can seem almost if there is no time to just chill. Although it can be boring embrace the chance to catch up on sleep and just relax. Before we know it we will be back into the swing of things and as busy as ever.