Its holiday season! Which means fall semester has ended and your month of relaxation has begun. Most college students are hesitant to return home to their parents as moving back home for a couple of weeks is often seen as a difficult transition. Despite the freedom you received once you moved away, don’t forget all of the fun things you did before you came to college and all the fun opportunities available during the Winter Break.
The month of December is the time of year when you get a chance to relax and spend time with your family. Unfortunately, leaving all the fun of your new life at school can be a little tricky. Luckily, there are still ways to have fun at home.
1. Family Night
Since August, many students haven’t spent much quality-time with their families. By devoting a night for your family, you can catch up, share embarrassing college stories, play board games, prepare a delicious meal or even watch movies. You can never spend too much time with your family. So take advantage of this break and try to dedicate a day out of each week to spend with the people you love the most. The best time is family time.
2. Caroling
Sounds crazy, right? Winter Break is the best time to try something new. Going door-to-door singing Christmas carols with friends can be as fun as you make it. Don’t worry about the embarrassment that may go along with it. Contact all of your high school friends and neighborhood friends and sing your heart out with the people you miss the most.
3. Ice-Skating
As cliché as this may sound, ice skating is one of the best things to take advantage of during the Winter Break. It’s enjoyable, it’s easy, and very inexpensive for hours of fun. You could make it a group event, but it’s also a perfect first date. Centennial Olympic Park in Atlanta offers group rates and student discounts on select days. Consider spending some time with your best friends or with your crush at your nearest ice-skating rink.
4. Throw a Tree Decorating Party
Nothing gets better than decorating the Christmas tree. If your family is a little behind with tree-decorating, take advantage of this opportunity by asking your family to wait for you and your friends. This could sound extremely boring, but by playing some Christmas tunes and baking sugar cookies, this simple get-together could soon become a holiday tradition.
5. Bring in the New Year with Friends
Bring in New Years Day the right way. The fun doesn’t stop once Christmas is over. Don’t just sit in the house on New Year’s Eve. Throw a party, go out with friends, visit Stone Mountain’s Snow Mountain, or attend Atlanta’s Peach Drop – just do something. The opportunities are endless. If there’s one thing you’ll regret about Winter Break, it would be not going out and having fun with your friends.
6. Catch up with UGA Friends
While spending time with your friends back at home, try not to neglect the friends you made at UGA. With just a simple phone call or text message, remind them that you care and haven’t forgotten about them. If some of your friends live nearby, make an effort to catch a movie, grab a bite to eat, or visit their family during the break. By bringing your UGA life back home, you’ll never have a dull moment.
The idea of leaving the fun of Athens for your hometown can seem scary. Stay positive, keep in touch with your UGA friends, and try to enjoy your time at home. You’ll make it out alive – I promise. By surrounding yourself with the people you love and miss the most, you’ll definitely enjoy your break, feel refreshed once you get back to campus, and be ready to start off spring semester the right way