You are probably relaxing right now. Your five week vacation is in full swing, and you are ready to kick back for the holidays. Winter break is a time for chilling after finals, but it is also a time to do some things that you won't have time for back at school. Let me tell you how to make the most of your winter break. Here are some fun and productive things to do over break.
1. Go for a run
You should definitely either go for a run or do some sort of exercise during your time away from school. A month is a long time, and if you want to get in shape or stay in shape, this is an ideal time to do it. Exercising is a great way to relieve the lingering stress from finals. It is fairly warm right now, so you should take advantage of this bipolar and warmish weather while you can. Also, this is a way to get you off the couch and burn off those irresistible holiday treats.
2. Read a book
During the school year, I never have a down moment to read a book of my choice. So, whether you choose to read your favorite magazine, pick up that novel you have been dying to read, or to simply just catch up with CNN online, take some time for some leisurely reading. Always good to keep blood flowing to the brain.
3. Hang out with your high school friends
You guys are home for the holidays! It is rare that you will be home at the same time as your high school friends for the rest of the academic year. This is a perfect chance for you to hang out all together. Popular end of year movies, holiday lunch dates, and Ugly Christmas Sweater parties are perfect opportunities to catch up. This may be your last chance to see them until May!
4. Bake Cookies
It is that time of year where you see all those fun DIYs on Pinterest and Facebook. However, they always come out way better than yours will. I am sorry. I am optimistic and will cheer you on along the way, but that stuff is hard to make. These snow globe cookies are mini masterpieces. The prepping, baking, and eating will be well worth it. They may not turn out perfectly, but baking cookies is a wonderful holiday tradition.
5. Make a Gingerbread House
After the holidays come to an end, gingerbread houses will temporarily be out of style until next August when all the Christmas decorations start appearing way to early. Make one while you can. No matter how old you are, they are always a lot of fun!
6. Download some new music
I know that when I am at school I do not have much time to look at the newest music all the time. Scroll through iTunes and Spotify and see what’s hot. This is an ideal time to get caught up on hot topics and current events. When you are at school you are in your own little world and are always too busy to know what is going on anywhere else.
7. Sleep…a lot
I know it is said that you can’t get caught up on sleep. However, your brain is very tired from finals and all the hard work that you put into the semester. So, sleep in. Sleep as much as you want. Take naps. You have time to sleep, so do it.
8. Go shopping
It is going to be absolutely freezing in Ithaca when you go back, and that is a promise. I know the warm weather before break may have fooled you, but it didn’t fool me. Winters in Ithaca are truly bitter. Buy some nice and warm clothes if you don’t already have them, and get ready to bundle up.
9. Go see a movie
Yes, Ithaca Mall has a movie theater, but how often do you actually have time to go there with your busy schedule? You have over a month now to go catch up on the new releases that are in theaters now. "Star Wars", "Sisters," "Brooklyn"? It all depends on what you are in the mood for! Right around the holidays is when the hot flicks come out.
10. Buy textbooks for next semester
As you all know, textbooks can be costly. Sometimes, you may only open them twice throughout the semester. I buy my textbooks off Amazon. They are cheaper to buy and also have a rent option that allows you to send them back to Amazon after the semester. It is nice to get some things for next semester out of the way so that you have less stress when you get back to school.
11. Catch up on Netflix
This is pretty self-explanatory. You love Netflix. I love Netflix. We all love Netflix. Watch whatever shows you want and enjoy it!
12. Make New Year’s resolutions
Last but definitely not least, make some New Year’s resolutions! When you get back to school, it will be 2016. Every year you are given a fresh start and a new slate. What do you want to do? Who do you want to be?
I hope you enjoy your winter break! Do whatever you want to do with this time off. Finals are over, so it is time to kick back and celebrate a little.
