Thanksgiving, for those who celebrate, is just around the corner, and with it comes a much needed week-long break. Many Hopkins students don’t go home for this week, either because they don’t celebrate or because a week is too short of a time to commute home for students who live farther away. However, regardless of the reason for opting to stay on campus, the break can be fun-filled and the perfect time to reset before exams, which start a mere two weeks after we come back. Earlier this year, I wrote about six fun things to do for Spring Break in Baltimore, and this time around I wanted to share some cool things to do during Thanksgiving Break on campus!
- Friendsgiving! This one is the most obvious! Whether you do it on Thanksgiving Day or not, and whether or not you attach any traditions to the date, this is fun thing to do with your friends! Change it up, have a potluck, or maybe just have a dessert party if you really don’t want to put in time to cook actual meals.
- Go Ice Skating! The Inner Harbor is a great place to hang out and it just recently opened back up! Or, if you want to venture out a bit more, the National Art Gallery’s Ice Rink opened on Friday, November 15th. Although going with friends is fun, ice skating is something you can definitely do on your own!
- Finally finish the book you started in January. I’m sure “read more for pleasure” has been one of your New Year’s Resolutions for as long as you’ve been in college. This more toned down suggestion is a small reminder that having the chance to sit at home and read a good non-school-related book is a rarity, so take the chance to do so now.
- Start your final papers. As with my Spring Break article, I had to add something not-so-fun. But, for those of you with final papers, now is a perfect time to get started on them! This year, there’s only one week between Thanksgiving Break and the end of classes, so make the most of this week. It may be boring now, but a less stressful reading period will be worth it!
- Finish your favorite show or start a new one! As with reading, watching shows is something that often goes by the wayside during school. Don’t feel guilty for sitting back and binging your favorite show again or starting (and finishing) a new one! You won’t have another break for a few weeks, so there’s absolutely nothing wrong with being extra lazy this week if you choose to not get ahead on work (which is also fine, you deserve it!)
Regardless of why you stay, there are many ways to make the best of it! Remember to reach out to your friends on campus, as late fall and winter can be a lonely time, and when most students leave it can be easy to think no one is around! Make new friends, explore Baltimore and beyond, and make the most of your well-deserved week off!