Apart from what the name might imply, most students aren’t too keen on spending reading week actually reading. While many students may be heading down south to bask in the sun, most of us have neglected to consider possible plans for our week off. Whether you’re a homebody or want to head out on the open road, here’s 6 alternative ways to spend your “reading” week.
1. Hit the Slopes
Whether you ski, snowboard, or prefer an après ski style of vacation, hitting the slopes is an awesome way to spend all or part of your reading week. Depending on where you live, slopes are pretty accessible and usually are only a few hours drive away. A lot of Ontario ski resorts are offering some type of deal for either Family Day celebrations, or reading week deals for students, so it’s the perfect time to get your family or friends outside and enjoy winter at it’s finest. For those not inclined to hit the slopes, most resort towns have a wide variety of shops, boutiques, restaurants, cafes, and other treasures to check out.
2. Trek to the Cottage
For many cottage-goers, cottages are reserved for summer weather, but most have a lot more to offer in the winter than meets the eye. Many popular cottage areas offer cross-country ski or snowshoe trails, snowmobiling, ice-skating, and other outdoor adventures. If you aren’t so inclined to bear the weather, it’s also the perfect place to cuddle up and read a book or watch a movie.
3. Montreal
If your brain says Paris but your wallet says no, this is the perfect trip for you. Montreal offers everything from high class shopping, spas, ski hills, vibrant nightlife, and food to excite even the most prestigious foodie in your group. You can access this Canadian gem by train from most major Ontario cities, but flights or driving are also options depending on where you live. Montreal is a perfect getaway if you are looking for a last minute travel adventure this upcoming week.
4. Visit Family & Friends
While you can definitely visit your close family and friends during the week, this is the perfect opportunity to visit family and friends who don’t live close enough for a normal day-to-day visit. Got a cousin in Vancouver? Why not hop on a plane and drop by for a visit for a few days? Likely, they’ll give you a free bed to sleep on and show you some local treasures. What about a best friend at Dalhousie? They also have a reading week, but may not have the option to come home, so it’s an excellent time to give them some company and catch up. Time with family and friends is always time well spent.
5. Explore Your Hometown
Believe it or not, you likely don’t know your hometown as well as you think you do. Whether you live in a small town or a big city, there are always new events, new places, or new activities to try out. Use this time to check out the museum you’ve never been to or try the restaurant that just opened; there’s likely something going on near you that you’ll be interested in – you just have to look. If you’re looking for more ideas on exploring your hometown, check out this article!
6. Stay Home
Ahhhh, nothing beats the feeling of being home in your own bed. Sure, it’s fun to explore the world, but sometimes all a girl wants to do is sleep through half the day and finish an entire series on Netflix. Whatever you decide to do with your time at home, give yourself time to relax from the ongoing stress of school. You deserve it!
No matter what you plan on doing over the break, make sure to enjoy some time with friends, family, and some time to yourself. Whether you’ve got piles of work to do or absolutely nothing, enjoy some free time, take a break, and make the best of your week. Cheers!