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STUCK INSIDE: THINGS TO DO WHEN WINTER WEATHER IS TERRIBLE

Moriah McBride Student Contributor, West Virginia University
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at WVU chapter and does not reflect the views of Her Campus.

When winter hits, everything feels harder than it needs to be. It’s freezing, the sidewalks are icy and suddenly even walking to class feels like a workout. On days when the weather is too bad to go out, it’s easy to feel bored or unmotivated, but being stuck inside doesn’t have to mean doing nothing. Here are some ideas and things you can do to make the time go by.

1. Cook or Bake Something 

Snow days are the best time to actually try cooking. 

Ideas: 

  • Bake cookies or brownies 
  • Make homemade pizza or pasta 
  • Try TikTok recipes 
  • Have a mini cook-off with friends 

You get entertainment and food, which is basically the best combo. 

2. DIY Self-Care Day 

Winter is draining, so sometimes the best plan is doing nothing… but make it aesthetic.

Ideas: 

  • Face masks and candles 
  • Hot showers and comfy clothes 
  • Journaling or reading 
  • Making a chill playlist 

It’s low effort but makes you feel like you have your life together.

3. Clean or Reorganize Your Space 

Not exciting, but weirdly satisfying. 

Ideas: 

  • Rearrange your room 
  • Deep clean your desk 
  • Organize clothes or notes 
  • Delete old photos and apps 

Your future self will thank you. 

4. “Main Character” Reset Day 

Use bad weather as an excuse to reset your life for a few hours. 

Ideas: 

  • Set goals for the semester 
  • Update your planner 
  • Apply for internships 
  • Make a budget or to-do list 

It feels productive without being overwhelming. 

Bad winter weather is basically unavoidable in college, but it doesn’t have to ruin your day. Whether you’re watching shows, cooking with friends, having game night or just doing a self-care reset, the goal is to make being inside feel intentional. Sometimes the best memories come from canceled plans and unexpected

Moriah McBride is an undergraduate student double majoring in criminology and psychology, with minors in forensics and addiction studies. Her academic work focuses on understanding human behavior within legal, clinical, and social contexts, with particular attention to crime, substance use, and mental health. Through her coursework, Moriah has developed strong skills in research analysis, critical thinking, and APA-style academic writing. Her studies integrate psychological theory with criminological perspectives, allowing her to examine how individual behavior, social structures, and systemic factors intersect within the criminal justice and mental health systems.

In addition to her academic background, Moriah has completed applied and experiential learning projects related to forensic investigation, addiction prevention, and recovery models. She has engaged in coursework examining forensic science, investigative processes, ethics, bias, and professional roles within the legal system. Her work in addiction studies has included critical reflections on substance use, abstinence-based projects, and prevention strategies, which have strengthened her understanding of evidence-based approaches to treatment and harm reduction. These experiences have reinforced her interest in prevention-focused and ethically informed practices when working with justice-involved or at-risk populations.

Outside of academics, Moriah is interested in learning more about human behavior, personal growth, and building meaningful connections with others. She values empathy, honesty, and resilience, and strives to apply these qualities in both her academic and personal life. As she continues her education, Moriah aims to pursue work that bridges criminology, psychology, forensics, and addiction studies to support individuals and communities through informed, compassionate, and research-driven approaches.