Starting December 21^st is Stony Brook University’s official winter break. It’s a time that every student looks forward to starting at the early beginnings of the fall semester. It’s what makes the last week of classes and finals week so difficult to get through because we all know that we’re so close to being there.

Let’s face it: every semester gets more gruesome as we move closer to the end of the tunnel. ‘Real-life’ worries start to enter our minds – graduate applications, full-time careers, money, apartments, moving – and the list goes on and on. As the break gets closer, we find ourselves daydreaming more and more about how we're going to spend those glorious four and a half weeks. To help each and every one of you enjoy the break to the maximum, I complied a list of items one must indulge in almost daily.

1. Netflix

This is your chance to catch up on all the Netflix originals, and all the hits, and all the TV shows that you had to give up because the life of attending a university consumed you

2. A comfy couch

Where else do you plan on watching Netflix?

3. Lots of pillows and blankets

You can never get too comfy. Let’s amp it up. Surround yourself with tons of pillows and blankets. One may never know what type of pillow they may need on a certain day

4. A guilty pleasure book

This book needs to be that book that you would never go back to school telling your friends you read over break

5. Cookie dough

Cooked or raw, either way will do the trick

6. Sweatpants

I mean, come on. Who doesn’t already live in sweatpants in the comfort of their own home?

7. Bath bombs

I know that over break, we’re all tempted to skip a few showers and most of us probably do, not realizing how many days actually passed, but we all need to get off that couch and do it. Don’t make it a task though. Let’s make it fun, colorful, and relaxing!

8. A friend or two

For the rare times that you want to get out of the house to grab some food but don’t want to go alone. But be careful! Too many friends may take up all that time you planned for your couch

9. An accessible phone charger

This one is just a given

10. A gym membership

Hmmm….maybe not.