1. Knit your own Ugly Christmas Sweater
Odds are, you do not already know how to knit (unless you're into that sort of thing, to which I commend you). So this activity will be doubly as time consuming. Pick up some needles and yarn, call your grandma for some pointers and settle in for a long journey. The homemade quality of your sweater will probably add to its ~ugliness~. All your friends will be very impressed with your skill and creativity and, not only did you just pick up a new hobby and avoid studying for finals, but you just found essentially free Christmas presents for all your friends.
2. Find a totally mediocre show you’ve already seen every episode of and binge watch it again
You and I both know you've already seen every episode of "Grey's Anatomy" and "Orange is the New Black", but go ahead, watch them all again. Grab some popcorn and get comfortable. It takes almost no energy to sit in bed and become mind-numbingly entranced by your go-to favorite show, which is much easier than lugging your books to the library everyday for two weeks and highlighting until you get carpal tunnel. Don't worry, no judgement here, Netflix exists for a reason. And don't feel any shame when it hits you with the "Are you still watching?" like the world's most annoying boyfriend.
3. Drink copious amounts of coffee to numb the pain
While some may turn to drinking alcohol to fend off the finals-blues, taking multiple coffee breaks a night is quite possibly the best way to waste time during finals week while simultaneously staying fueled. There's nothing ironically sweeter than the bitter taste of caffeine when your life seems to be spiraling into an inevitable pit of failure. It may seem like an unnecessary expenditure of money and you may worry about the effects of having three venti gingerbread lattes, but it'll all be worth it when you can power through a couple of all-nighters.
4. Go to holiday themed parties
Time to put your new homemade ugly Christmas sweater to good use. Whether it's a Hannukah party, a Christmas party, a Kwanza party, a New Year's party or anything in between, it's bound to be more fun than studying. Grab your girls and your fresh baked Christmas parties and have fun listening to music, dancing, and snapping pics instead of drowning in the puddle of tears accumulating between the pages of your textbook. The holiday season only comes around once a year, after all. If you are in college, finals, unfortunately, come twice.
5. Skype your best friend for six hours and talk about how you should be studying
No one can understand and appreciate your title of Ultimate Procrastinator quite as much as your best friend who is, likely, putting off studying just as much as you. Skype or facetime or just call. Use catching up as the perfect excuse to not prepare for your exams. Maybe they can help you make a Quizlet but also maybe they will play you in 8-ball on iMessage.
6. Complain about politics
In light of recent political events, the new president-elect and his decisions are weighing heavy on everyone's mind. Who said political debate had to end when the pumpkin pie ran out on Thanksgiving? Carry that political strife straight through New Years! Practice the best delivery of your "Love Trumps Hate!" speech to share with Uncle Steve next to the Christmas tree. Really study up on all of Trump's tweets and television appearances instead of reading about that ancient U.S. history. Aren't current issues more important anyway?
7. Do all the homework you procrastinated all semester
I see you, putting off all those "optional" essays until the last week of classes, I've been there. Spend the night typing until your fingers go numb, trying to make all those last-minute deadlines and due dates rather than cramming and studying for your economics final. You already did the calculations, the homework and essays are worth more anyway...right?
8. Deep clean your dorm
All semester your vacuum has sat unused in your closet. Break that bad boy out, as well as the bleach wipes and Swiffer and Lysol. You're going to be leaving for break as soon as you're done with that last final, and we all know the university staff isn't going to be touching your dorm while you're gone. Waste some time and be productive in other ways by going OCD and doing some mild winter-cleaning so you're room can be fresh and clean for when you get back. Doesn't everyone always say you focus and study better in a clean, organized environment, anyway?
9. Color in your now un-cool adult coloring book
You haven't touched it since last Christmas, when it was popular, but get out your Mandala coloring book and Crayola markers and go to town. They're supposed to be stress-relieving, right? Once you've wasted a few hours and finished your rainbow circle, you can even try stapling it to the back of your final essay for some extra credit. I'm sure all your professors would appreciate it.
10. Go to the gym and let your stress fuel your workout
Everyone knows hitting the gym and exercising is the ultimate stress-reliever. Go run a few miles on the treadmill or spin or even lift some weights. Odds are you'll leave the gym feeling refreshed and ready to be more productive in the studying department. If you're feeling extra ambitious, bring that BioChem book with you and prop it on the StairMaster. What's the worst that could happen (aside from some weird looks and a potential broken ankle)?
