As the fall semester comes to a close and the chill in the air starts to set in, we pack up our suitcases and head home for the winter break. When we return in January there will be no need for cute sandals or cropped jeans, no need for tailgate outfits or Birkenstocks. From here on out, it’s full-length down parkas and wool socks. But is that all so bad? Is the winter season really the bane of our existence?
There’s quite a few things to look forward to during the winter semester, so don’t you let those winter blues get you down just yet!
Ice Skating
What better way to embrace the cold and that shiny frozen water you avoid slipping on than going ice skating? Ok, so maybe you’re not an Olympic skater and ice skating for you means falling more than making forward progress — so what?! Grab a friend (or a cute guy) and some warm mittens and hit the ice rink! The Ann Arbor Ice Cube is a great place to visit during open skate — plus you can rent some skates if you don’t have your own.
Basketball Season
Football season is sadly over so that means no more tailgates and cool fall Saturday afternoons. But basketball season has officially started and, if you ask me, it’s the next best thing to football. This may or may not have to do with the fact that I’m an intern for basketball and an overall big fan of the sport — but it’s a really great way to spend a weekend or week day evening. Crisler Center is a great place to watch basketball, plus the cheerleaders and dance team pass out free pizza every game. Yep, you heard me. “Free” and “pizza” in the same sentence. I’ll see you there.
Sledding
Perhaps one of the most interesting parts about attending a university that draws people from all over the world is seeing people experience snow for the very first time as winter arrives. If this happens to be your first Michigan winter (or even if it’s your 20th), you have got to go sledding! Get a cheap sled from Meijer or Target and take a hike over to Palmer Field (aka “The Hill”). Definitely one of the best sledding spots on campus. Make a snowman while you’re there, too!
Hot Drinks
You’ve probably been sipping hot cocoa and pumpkin spice lattes since the slowly dropping temperatures of the fall months, but there’s really nothing more satisfying than walking to a morning class carrying a hot cup of coffee to literally keep your hands (and body) from freezing with the negative wind chill. There are also few things better than cozying up with a blanket, fuzzy socks and hot cocoa as you watch the snow fall out your window.