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Lifestyle
12 Festive Ways To Decompress After Finals
When you need to get rid of your leftover stress but also be in the Christmas spirit.
1m
44
Pexels
So you're finally finished with your semester and you really need to decompress from it, but you're also feeling the time crunch because Christmas is like ten days away and you haven't even gotten to do anything fun and festive yet. No worries! Fortunately, there are several festive things you can do to help put the stress far behind you. You can also make some of your usual favorite things to do Christmasy. Basically, you're winning.
1. Decorate
If you still don't have your Christmas decorations up, you're about to miss your opportunity. Not to mention, lifting boxes and hanging ornaments and stockings is a really nice change of pace from sitting around and studying.
2. Watch Christmas movies
If you're so mentally dead that all you can do is sit and watch movies, then check out some Hallmark Christmas movies. They're easy to follow and will leave you with a major case of the warm fuzzies. I recommend my personal favorite, A Royal Christmas. If Hallmark movies aren't your jam, there are several good versions of The Grinch, A Christmas Carol, and Its A Wonderful Life out there for your enjoyment. And of course, there's always Elf, Holiday Inn, Christmas Vacation, and Home Alone.
3. Read
If you love reading for pleasure and that's your way of chilling out, you've got plenty of good options for festive literature. Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol is always a classic, but there are plenty of others out there that require less brain power.
4. Drink eggnog
*spiking with alcohol optional*
5. Buy Christmas presents
I know that this can sometimes be stressful, but it's another way to change from having to sit around and study. Not to mention that it has to get done at some point. If you're crafty, make them!
6. Wrap presents
Once you've bought all of your presents, you'll have to wrap them. If you're someone who uses crafting to relax, this one is for you! There are all kinds of ways to make Christmas gifts beautiful and most of them are fairly simple.
7. Watch the Christmas episodes of your favorite shows
If you've been missing your time with your favorite show while you were studying yourself to death but still want to be festive, watch the Christmas episodes. Nearly every show out there has at least one or two, so if your favorite isn't one of them, you have plenty of others to choose from.
8. Take a bath
This one is great because you can pair it with several of the things on this list. Just run a bunch of hot water, add your favorite bath bombs and such (festive scents optional), light a candle or twelve (again festive scents optional), and proceed to relax with your favorite songs/books/shows/movies.
9. Jam to Christmas music
Sometimes, the only way to really get rid of your remaining stress about finals is to jam to really loud music - make it festive with some Christmas songs!
10. Go see Christmas lights
If driving around and looking at Christmas lights isn't an enjoyable activity for you, then I'm pretty sure we couldn't be friends. It's a fun and relaxing way to just sit back and enjoy beautiful things.
11. Bake Christmas cookies
If you love to bake, then this one is a no-brainer for you. Even if you or your people are on a diet, homemade Christmas cookies are always a good thing to toss into a gift to give it that little extra personal touch.
12. Hang with the fam
Christmas is another one of those holidays that's dedicated to being with family among other things. So hang out with them as a way to relax and celebrate the spirit of the season.
And, as always:
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Lifestyle
5 Benefits Of Learning Different Languages
It's a pain to learn but it's definitely worth it in the end.
23h
2503
a2zli
When I was learning how to talk, I was taught both Portuguese and English at the same time. In elementary school, I started taking mandatory Spanish classes, which I did well in because of my knowledge of Portuguese. Then in high school, on top of taking Spanish, I also started taking French. Now, in college, already fluent in English and Portuguese, I'm in the process of becoming fluent in Spanish, and I have a standard high school level understanding of French.
All my life there has been many people who been involved in a variety of languages. My mom is fluent in English, Portuguese, Spanish, and French. I remember her trying to learn Arabic when I was younger and she used to know German. My dad is fluent in Portuguese and Spanish while managing well enough with English. My step mom is fluent in Spanish and English, and has learned Portuguese since dating my father. Because of them and others, my environment has always been conducive to learning multiple languages.
Up until I started working in high school, I took all of this for granted. However, I soon learned there were significant benefits to knowing more than just English. Anyone that knows one or more languages than English understands how satisfying these reasons are.
1. Helping people who don't speak English.
At work, on the streets, in a grocery store, or literally anywhere else, there are moments when people who don't speak English struggles with their surroundings. Trying to speak to someone who doesn't understand their native language, looking for directions, or asking for help with something becomes difficult for them and frustrating. For example, I was on break at work once and while passing the food station, a man was trying to order a meal in Spanish. The cashier didn't understand Spanish and saw me passing by, so he asked me to help since he knew I understood and spoke Spanish. It's always made me feel really great being able to help others through using other languages.
2. Understanding what people are saying when they don't realize you do.
This definitely includes when they're talking about you. The feeling of satisfaction and self-pride when you can shock people by pointing out that, "hey I know exactly what you're saying about me," is probably my favorite reason on this list. It's also really fun hearing people gossiping about others, whether you know who those other people are or not. You could be in a completely normal setting, like a hair salon, and one haircut later, you know all about how your hairdresser's sister just got divorced and now there's a nasty custody battle going on to see who gets the kids. It's highly entertaining to hear about the lives of others without them knowing, even if we're aware that it's kind of messed up and makes us seem nosy.
3. More job opportunities.
This is heard all the time when our parents, teachers, and advisers tell us we need to learn a foreign language in school. Sure it gets annoying to hear, but it's also really true. Knowing languages can open up more job opportunities because employers look for people who can either bring a more diverse group to them or who can keep up with the diverse group they already have coming in. Most jobs can be helped or expanded through the knowledge of other languages, and some even have it as a job requirement. Knowing more than just the English language puts you at a higher advantage than other applicants.
4. Connecting to more people.
When you go to a foreign country and find someone that speaks English, it's the best feeling in the world. You don't feel so alone anymore! The same thing applies to when people from foreign countries or when people who don't speak English come here. It feels like they've finally found something familiar in a sea of the unknown. Knowing languages also allows for you to connect to more people through also learning their culture. Cultures all over the world are vast and unique, and by connecting to someone through their language, you're able to discuss the culture of their country and can compare it to your own culture. It's always really intriguing learning about the experiences others have had in their homelands, and being told about those experiences brings you closer to those people.
5. Vacations become much less stressful.
Obviously, this depends on where you go, but if you go somewhere that you know the language, then it holds true. Besides relaxing by the beach, one of the top things people do when they're on vacation is going sightseeing. At one time or another (or maybe every vacation), it happens that you get lost while on your way to places you're dying to see. Having trouble communicating in a foreign country is one of the biggest worries when traveling, besides safety. No need to worry about that anymore when you understand the language can read road signs and maps, and can speak to natives about the culture of their country.
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Lifestyle
Why Thanksgiving Shouldn't Get Shafted, As Told By Disney
Let the turkey have his day, man.
28 November
1716
Deviantart
I am without a doubt one of those people who refuses to start decorating for Christmas or listen to Christmas music until after Thanksgiving. Unfortunately, Thanksgiving has become an underrated holiday over the years. You barely see any Thanksgiving decorations in stores; it's like they skip right from Halloween to Christmas.
Here are some reasons why Thanksgiving is still bomb, illustrated by some of our favorite Disney characters:
1. You get to spend time with your family.
No matter how much your family may annoy you, you know deep down that you love them. Any time you get to spend with your family should be cherished.
2. It's the one day of the year where you can stuff yourself and feel no guilt.
Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, corn, pumpkin pie...you want to skip right all over that stuff? No, that's what I thought.
Remember: Thanksgiving calories don't count.
3. You get to go home from school.
Whether you get a full week off for Thanksgiving or just a few days, it still means you have the opportunity to take a break from stressing about classes. And you get to see your dog, what's better than that?
4. It's fall's last hoorah.
Goodbye flannels and cute booties. Goodbye pumpkin spice everything and the beautiful red and orange leaves. Goodbye sweater dresses and goodbye not wearing a coat when you go outside. Thanksgiving is like the going away party for fall.
5. The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Truly a staple in the American household for Thanksgiving morning.
6. There really isn't that long of a wait for Christmas after Thanksgiving.
Just be patient, Christmastime will be in full swing once Thanksgiving is over and the wait isn't that long. Also let's be real-- it will start snowing soon and the cold weather will approach us, something most people like to hold out on anyway.
7. Thanksgiving makes you think about what you're thankful for.
Even though you should appreciate what you have all the time, some people don't really think about it until Thanksgiving when everyone else is doing it. I guess it's better late than never, but you should always be thankful for what you have.
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Lifestyle
8 Things To Do To Keep You Occupied During Thanksgiving Break
Nothing says "Thanksgiving break" like never changing into real clothes all day.
28 November
1174
Becco
Some universities only get two or three days off for Thanksgiving break. Or, if your university is like mine, you get the whole week off go go home. A whole week off is a long time. I'm not complaining, because I'd rather have a whole week off than three days, but there is a lot of down time. Here are some ideas as to what you can do to get the most out of your Thanksgiving break.
1. Reunite with friends from high school
The Thanksgiving break of my freshman year of college was when I really got to see which of my high school friends I actively wanted to be friends with after graduation and which I was friends with only because I was in classes with them for four years straight. With these friends, it can be fun comparing our daily lives from different colleges and reminiscing on how awful high school was. Go to a coffee shop and catch up!
2. Go to the gym
Because there's truly nothing more exciting than running into that guy from your graduating class who posts snapchat stories of him lifting weights at your local gym in order to try and impress the ladies. But also, Thanksgiving meal carbs. Ugh.
3. Start a new Netflix show
Take a break from all that homework I know you're getting ahead on. Find a new show that you can binge watch during your vacation.
4. Sleep
We all know there's never enough of that in college.
5. Cook
Because sometimes in college you don't have access to vegetables/fruit/a kitchen.
6. Organize your home closet for the month's-worth of clothes you'll be taking back with you for Christmas break
If you think the three suitcases I took home with me for this one week of Thanksgiving break is too much...think about how many clothes I'll bring back home with me in a few weeks.
7. Start making your Christmas list
All of the holiday gift ads are coming out this week!
8. Or start shopping for your family/friends' presents
With all that money that a typical college student has, right?
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Lifestyle
10 Inevitable Stages Of Going Home For Thanksgiving As A College Student
Turns out that Thanksgiving is a lot more complicated when you're in college.
27 November
2300
Wikimedia Commons
It's that time of year again- Thanksgiving Break is finally approaching. For college students everywhere, Thanksgiving is a time to relax and not really worry about homework (well, depending on what major you're in). However, going home for Thanksgiving is actually a lot more complicated and stressful than it looks. From traveling, to Thanksgiving in general, the stages of going home can drive students crazy.
1. Trying to get a flight/train/car last minute.
Traveling is stressful for everyone, including college students. However, traveling on Thanksgiving is a whole other monster.
2. Secretly planning your Black Friday shopping plans during Thanksgiving dinner.
We have all thought about this during at least one Thanksgiving dinner.
3. Helping with Thanksgiving prep.
Unless you are so terrible at cooking that you need an intervention from Gordon Ramsay, you will probably help out with Thanksgiving prep. Or, if your family doesn't want to deal with cooking at all, you can always go out to eat!
4. Unpacking all the unwanted clothes from college.
Goodbye summer clothes, and hello sweaters and scarves!
5. Seeing a ton of relatives/family friends.
Thanksgiving means seeing family and old friends at a very fast rate. Be prepared for inevitable questions including: "Do you have a job yet?" or "How are your grades?"
6. Drinking more wine than usual.
Honestly, any kind of wine goes really nice with your Thanksgiving dinner.
7. Eating a lot more than usual (duh).
It's inevitable that you're going to get a food coma on Thanksgiving. Be prepared.
8. Realizing that you were extremely sleep deprived in college.
Going home for Thanksgiving also means more sleep. And then you realize that all-nighters eventually add up.
9. Trying to finish your homework on time but procrastinate instead.
Procrastination is inevitable.
10. Realizing that after break you're almost immediately going into Finals Week.
And instead of studying you'll probably be looking at ugly Christmas sweaters and potential Christmas gifts.
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