The break in-between college semesters can be ridiculously long. If you go to a school that has an extra semester in January, your break could run all the way until February. The first few weeks are lovely; Christmas spirit flows abundantly and you can take advantage of rest after exhausting projects and finals. But once Christmas is over, you realize that you live in a very cold town and watching Netflix all day only stays charming for a couple of weeks. Here is a list of things you can do instead of eating your weight in Christmas leftovers or staring at your cat.
1. Get a job
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I know. This seems to defeat the whole purpose of having a "break," but getting a temporary part-time job can help fill the hours and fill your bank account back to a less cringe-worthy level for the coming semester. Offer to babysit or take down someone's Christmas decorations.
2. Find a hobby
Something besides eating, obviously. Learn how to knit or weave baskets. Something to occupy your time and look pretty maybe.
3. Take a class
You can take an online class to get ahead for your degree or just a self-defense class. Anything to help your brain stay in gear during your off-time.
4. Hit the gym
Do it for your health and for all the holiday eating. Even if you don't actually go to a gym, take a jog around the block or do a workout at home.
5. Make a list of books you want to read and start checking them off
Maybe you've been wanting to read Moby Dick or LOTR for years but never got around to it. You have lots of free time to knock out a few classic novels.
6. Find a coffeeshop you love and read said books
When it's winter time and you're bored few things can be as wonderful as getting out of the house. Change up your scenery and find a warm beverage to keep you company.
7. Take a road trip and visit your friends
If you have any friends from college who live within driving distance take a few days to go visit them. Go see their hometowns, meet their families, and cure those long-break blues.
8. Help out with chores at home
Goodness knows you probably have more time than your parents at this point. Take some initiative and lend a helping hand! Your family will definitely appreciate it.
9. Find somewhere to volunteer
Few things can make you feel as good as giving your time to someone else. Find a local church or soup kitchen that needs some help. You'll fill time and feel great.
10. Visit a museum
Check out some art or science and learn something new. You'll feel so cultured.
11. Master a recipe
Pick a food that you love and learn how to make it from scratch. Keep trying until you get it right! Once you get it, you'll have a go-to recipe for entertaining.
12. Offer to run errands
You'll be helping out the person who usually picks up groceries and getting out of the house. Perfect combo.
13. Sort through your closet
Chances are you have a ton of thing you will never use again. Take a day to sort it all out and then either sell or donate the things you don't want.
14. Plan for your upcoming semester
Take some time to look at your schedule and projects you have coming up. Set goals for the semester and start getting organized while you have lots of time.
15. Dream about the future
Take some time and think about where you want to be after college. Dream about what job you might like best and where you might want to live.
16. Do some actual research about your future
Try to start lining up a job or internship for the coming summer. Do some research for your apartment for next year. Read up on some companies you may want to work for in the future. Having tangible things to work toward may even inspire you to work harder in the next semester.
17. Watch some classic movies
Find a good list and check off all of the classics you've never seen. There's nothing as classy as the classics.
18. Go to a concert
Check out local venues to see if any of your favorite artist are playing. Live music will get you out of your winter break funk.
19. Get a new haircut
Do something risky. Change up your look. Feel fabulous. You always feel best when you look your best.
20. Catch up with old friends
Call up a friend you haven't seen since high school and see how things are going in their lives. Chances are, they could use a friend over break too.
21. Stay up to date on current events
Read up on your news articles and wow people with your knowledge of the presidential race drama and the expansion of the national debt.
22. Build a snowman
If your home lends itself to frozen precipitation, that is. Be sure to take lots of pics and Instagram that up.
23. Update some old picture frames
Take some time to order some new pictures and replace those photos of you as a pimply 7th grader.
24. Clean out your car
By the end of the semester my car is always filthy. Take a few hours to get it all shiny and new again. New air fresheners are always a nice touch.
25. Spend some quality time with your family
After all, you don't get to see them all that often. Embrace your family craziness, but take them in the doses you can handle.
Don't waste the next month of your life! Do something that will make your break worth-while. Make some memories or make some change. Life is way more than school semesters.
