For most students, Thanksgiving break means a solid five days off from school, typically starting the Wednesday before Thanksgiving Day, with students returning to campus the following Monday. Traditionally, students either travel home to celebrate the holiday with loved ones or go on a short vacation, resulting in most of campus being empty for that extended weekend. But for many different reasons — such as financial situations, personal or health factors, prior commitments, family dynamics, and so on — not every student is able to get away, leaving some to be on campus during the holiday weekend. While it may feel sad or disappointing to not see family members during this time — not to mention lonely, with everyone (including most staff) gone, that doesn’t mean your weekend still can’t be fun and eventful.
Thankfully, there are plenty of activities to do during Thanksgiving break for those who are stuck on campus together. So, instead of sulking, you can take advantage of these moments and create moments that you won’t forget, be productive and set yourself up for success as you head into the home stretch of the semester, or just have a good time all around. In fact, “staycations” are sometimes even more fun! Whether you are by yourself or have a few friends who you can band together with, here are 15 things you can do to make the most of your on-campus Thanksgiving weekend.
Host a Friendsgiving
If you and your friends are stuck on campus together, you can make the most of it as a group and host your very own Friendsgiving feast. his way, the Thanksgiving spirit will still be alive and you can all share a meal together on Thanksgiving Day and comfort one another.
Order in
If cooking isn’t your thing, ordering in is quick, easy, and convenient. Plus, there are plenty of restaurants that are open on Thanksgiving Day.
Volunteer
Thanksgiving is about being thankful for what you have, and this holiday weekend is the perfect time to help others who are less fortunate. There are plenty of ways you can help out the community in your college town, like donating your time at a local food pantry, soup kitchen, or shelter. Commonly, a lot of different houses of worship, religious organizations, and interfaith groups also host events around the holidays in which they donate food, clothing, and other necessities to those in need.
Go Shopping
Feeling down about not being with family during the holidays? Nothing a little retail therapy can’t fix! If you’re not afraid to break the bank, then use the extended weekend as an opportunity to do some shopping. This weekend isn’t just Thanksgiving, after all, but it is also Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday. So, if you want to splurge and maybe get some holiday shopping done early, use this weekend to shop at your favorite stores or support a local small business.
Explore Your College Town
This weekend is the perfect opportunity to explore your college town, especially if you are a first-year student who is new to the area. Check out some shops, boutiques, bars, art classes, pilates studios, or other fun things to do in general. This way, when your friends come back, you can show them all the new cool spots you found that you can visit with them.
Connect with loved ones virtually
Luckily, we live in an age when, just because we are physically apart, that doesn’t mean we still can’t emotionally connect with one another. Video chat with your loved ones so you can still talk to them during the holidays. You can also opt to do a fun event together over the phone. And if you are in a long-distance relationship, you can speak with your S.O. and schedule a fun virtual date.
Take Photos Around Campus
With the campus empty, you can use this time to find all the hidden gems on campus. You can explore and find new spots you never knew existed and have your own personal photo shoot. Nothing like having a scenic spot on stan by for Instagram photos.
Prep for Finals
If you want to make this break a productive one, you can use this dedicated uninterrupted time to start prepping for finals. Whether that is starting to review material from earlier in the semester for an upcoming exam, beginning on your final project, or drafting that term paper, getting a head start now will save you time and stress — this way, you aren’t drowning in assignments from all of your classes at once when finals week arrives. Future you will thank you for it! And with everyone gone from campus, it’ll be quiet, so you can use pretty much any spot on campus as a study spot or have the library all to yourself if it’s open.
Plan your career
Speaking of being productive, another thing you can do is make strides toward your future career. That can mean updating your resume, setting up a Linkedin or Handshake profile, creating a digital portfolio or website, and so on. It can also mean looking into jobs or internships that you’re interested in for next semester and begin the process of applying to them now.
Get some exercise in
This weekend is the perfect excuse to get some exercise. You can go on a run, take a workout class, stretch, or lift some weights. Stop at your campus fitness center (if it’s open), go to a local studio, or do some modified exercises in your room. Getting up and moving can definitely help you feel better if you are in a slump.
Go on a Local Road Trip
Even if you don’t have a vacation scheduled, you can go on a small road trip if you have access to a vehicle. No flights necessary, just you — maybe a friend or two — and the open road
Visit the theater
If you want something to do on Thanksgiving, go see a movie! Most major movie theaters are open 365 days a year. With a majority of people at home, it might be pretty empty!
Marathon your favorite TV shows or films
If you prefer staying at home, watch a classic TV show or film in your dorm. You can invite a few friends over and have a watch party or just have a solo marathon of your favorite series. You can even watch specific Thanksgiving-themed episodes, seasonal classics like A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving, or tune in to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Pursue a Passion Project
If you have a hobby or passion project that you’ve always wanted to start but keep putting off, now is your chance.With the New Year being right around the corner, you can also get a head start on developing some new goals. Set aside time, evaluate your goals, and see what you’re interested in.
Host a Game Night
Want to have some fun with friends over Thanksgiving break, but don’t want a bunch of food in your dorm room? Then host a game night with friends. If you love some good ol’ healthy competition, all you need is the games you want to play. You can play a game like Heads Up! on your phone, a video game, or if you’re more old-school, board games. Pick a variety of games and make a night of it.