Everyone is dying for Winter Break come finals week but once the holidays pass, we find ourselves on the flip side of New Year’s twiddling our thumbs until the new semester starts. Don’t waste all your time vegging on the couch when you can cross some things off your to-do list and get ahead for the spring semester… oh, and have some fun, too!
Bake!
Nothing says Christmas quite like some cookie cutters and sprinkles. Grab a few friends or put on some Christmas music and bake your little heart out! The best part about baking is that you get to make your favorite holiday treats – and if you don’t feel like sharing, just keep in on the down low.
Ice Skating
We all remember those awkward ice skating parties in elementary school but this classic winter tradition could be a great night out with some of your girlfriends! Find a rink in your area, grab some hot chocolate and have some fun! You don’t have to be Michelle Kwan to have a great time – and stumbling and falling with your friends is part of the experience.
Research internships & update your resume.
We know this sounds lame but trust us, when you’re swamped with school work in the spring, you’ll be glad you at least have this crossed off your list! If you’re looking for a summer internship, spring is the time to send in your resume. Get ahead of the game and check out internships, contact some key people to get your foot in the door early and you might just beat out some of the competition.
Start a new gym routine.
Why not get a jump on a New Year’s Resolution by diving in to a new fitness regime? Try yoga or buy a Zumba DVD and get going! If you get into the habit over break, you’re more likely to keep your resolution when you get back to school. Plus, you’ll burn off some of those calories from holiday sweets.
Catch up on all those TV shows your friends talk about
Tired of all your friends obsessing over Scandal or Orange is the New Black? With some of your time off, you can catch up on shows you’ve always wanted to get into but had class on the night the show aired. We recommend HBO’s Girls – plus, catch up in time for the Season 3 premier on Jan. 12!
Get in some quality time with old friends.
School work and busy schedules always keep us busy but with a few weeks off, winter break is the perfect time to have a movie night with your friends from high school. The best part about “old friends” is that you never have to explain anything or launch into a great story from your past – they were there! So call up some of your girls and reminisce about the days when jean skirts were stylist and your flip phone was cool.
Read a great book!
Reading always seems like a tedious and dreadful task when you’re assigned Moby Dick or 12 chapters of your philosophy textbook for class but believe it or not, reading is actually fun – you just have to find the right book! So on those nights when nothing is on TV or your friends are all busy, pick up a book and you might enjoy it! Use your time off as a chance to read the Hunger Games, J.K. Rowling’s new crime novel The Cuckoo’s Calling, or Malcolm Gladwell’s David and Goliath.
Find cheap copies of your textbooks!
Again, this one might a little boring but when you just shelled out $75 for your parents’ Christmas gifts, saving money is always welcome. See if your professors posted their required readings and then do some price-checking around sites to find the best deal. The earlier you are, the better chances you have of finding what you need.
See a Broadway show.
New York at Christmastime is truly magical (even if it is a little touristy) and what could be better than wandering around Central Park in the snow with friends or family and seeing a show? We suggest the Tony-winning musical Once or the hilarious comedy Book of Mormon.
Check out local holiday activities.
What’s better than seeing a live version of A Christmas Carol or the The Nutcracker during the holiday season? Find holiday-themed activities or venues to visit in your area for a day trip or a night out in the city. If you’re in the Philadelphia area, we’ve got some awesome suggestions!