Christmas Break: the all-hallowed, extremely loved, most anticipated time of the year by college students. You're done—no more homework, no more alarm clocks, no more 8 a.m., gen-ed science class. Coming to college really sealed the deal on the whole Christmas is "best time of the year": it's no joke anymore, it really is. For so many reasons.
As I sit here in the midst of exam week, I can taste freedom. It is so close, yet so, so far away. Besides my usual studying procrastination methods - Facebook, making conversation with the people in the bathroom, looking through every single photo I have saved on my phone—I've got a new one for this time of the year: Christmas day-dreaming. Let's face it, it happens to every single one of us. We all sit with homework on our laps, staring out the window calculating exactly how many hours from right now until we will be sitting in front of the Christmas tree watching ABC's Twenty-Five Days of Christmas with hot chocolate in our hands while the snow falls outside. (Can you tell this happens to me often?)
So when that fateful day finally comes, your last exam is done and your entire room is packed into your car, you better know what to do next. Here are some ways to make sure you make the very most of the best four weeks of the year.
1. Group messages
Put all of your friends into one, huge group message. That way, you all know what is going on all the time. Send the message as soon as you get home—you don't want to miss one second to spend time with your friends!
2. Take initiative
Christmas is also the busiest time of the year, so make sure that if you want to hangout with someone or do something special, you take charge to do it yourself. Don't wait for an invite, because you know how busy everyone gets.
3. Have your snow gear ready and waiting at the door
It's not often you get the chance to drop everything to go outside and sled, so make sure that when the snow falls, you're ready to go!
4. Use the kitchen while you have it
All those Christmas dessert recipes that you saved on Pinterest throughout the last month and a half? It's time to make them all. Go up to grandma's house, turn the Christmas music on, and use all sugar you can. Calories don't count this month, so you're good.
5. DVR
This little contraption is going to be your best friend the next few weeks. Record any and every Christmas movie you can find, and pick one to watch every night. "Home Alone," "The Grinch Who Stole Christmas," "A Christmas Carol," "The Christmas Story," "Elf," "It's A Wonderful Life," "Christmas Vacation": that list just made me so excited.
6. Get your shopping done early
Don't wait until the week before Christmas to do all your shopping—this takes away from the time you could be spending with your family and friends!
7. Don't get caught in bed 24/7
Obviously, sleeping in is one of my No. 1 priorities during Christmas break, but if I let myself sleep too long I will lose a lot of time to be doing Christmas things! Let yourself sleep in, but also make sure you're not wasting the day away in bed. Use that time to hang out with your siblings, parents, and grandparents. I know it is hard to believe, but it really is so much more fun than sleeping!
8. Read for fun
"Read for fun? Is that even a thing?" say college students everywhere. If you're like me, you love to read but can never find the time to read for fun while at school. You now have almost a month to read as much as you can! Go to your local bookstore, find a book you've been wanting to read since last year, and just read. Cuddle up on the coach with a blanket, some hot chocolate, and waste some time reading!
9. Stay home as much as you can
Although I am so excited to see all of my friends for the holiday, I am more excited to just spend some nights at home laying under the Christmas tree watching "Elf" with my family. Don't take all this free time for granted—make sure you spend it with the people who make the season as special as it is!
Christmas Break—the absolute best time of the year. Take these tips, and make sure to make the most out of your break!
Merry Christmas!
