The “polar vortex” has blanketed campus with unwarranted, thick snow and sub-zero temperatures the past few days. Suddenly, this Chicago winter, if the past Januaries weren’t real before, is now a legitimate source of complaints to the rest of our friends and family (especially those in tropical locations). Although classes have precipitated and things are still fresh, we know all anyone wants to do in this God-forsaken weather is huddle indoors. We get it, so we’re helping you do just that:
1. Experiment with hot chocolate recipes
Anybody bored yet of their 9th cup of hot chocolate and marshmallows? Instead, try some peanut butter hot chocolate, white chocolate hot chocolate, or creating a more chic drink with orange liquer and cinnamon. Brit+Co has a sweet list of hot chocolate variations to try—mm!
The Extra Mile/In Case of Severe Winter: Work your way through as many hot chocolate recipes as you can before the sugar high knocks you out. Upload a picture of your hot chocolate to Instagram and tag @hercampus_nu in your post—we want to see!
2. Watch the new season of The Bachelor
Juan Pablo is ay yay yay, muy caliente and if there’s a good time to indulge in reality television, winter is the time. Gossip Girl and Breaking Bad are over, so it’s about time to replace your guilty pleasure. At this point, you’re only one premiere episode behind, so catch up before next Monday night at 7 p.m.!
The Extra Mile/In Case of Severe Winter: Do your research and read all the bios of the 27 girls on the show this season. If that hasn’t sent your head spinning by the end (We’re not the only ones who think Elise and Nikki look like the same person, right?), use your STAT 202 knowledge with a little bit of intuition to predict who’s going to make it to hometown dates. (Cheering for Andi.)
3. Tune into #Chiberia social media
It’s been almost a week, but the posts keep coming. Read endless articles about exactly how cold Chicago is. Even colder than the South Pole. We won’t belabor the point, but the feed is endless with boiling water videos so that should keep you preoccupied for a while.
The Extra Mile/In Case of Severe Winter: Relate everything to Frozen (as if your newsfeed wasn’t filled with it already). Chicago is Arendelle, it is still winter because Elsa is unloved in her castle, and Olaf is prancing about somewhere.
4. Shop New Year sales, because a new month means a new budget.
Everyone knows the start of a new month is the best, because it means monthly budgets have been reset to $0 and suddenly, you can’t wait to spend the $25 you allotted yourself under the “whatever I want” category. (Read: clothes). Curl up in a blanket near a fireplace, or at least, a cozy dorm heater.
The Extra Mile/In Case of Severe Winter: We thought providing a list would be detrimental to the health of your wallet, but desperate times call for desperate measures. This is a great list to go down; our favorite is the Victoria’s Secret semi-annual sale. Time to stock up on essentials for the new year!
5. Apply for internships…
It sucks, we know. But you will thank yourself later.
The Extra Mile/In Case of Severe Winter: Applying for internships IS the extra mile.