As the semester winds down and we’re granted time off for Winter break, I am often found bored and restless with the long days spent at home. At college, I’m used to constantly being surrounded by rowdy friends and loud rap music. At college, I’m used to being on my own weird schedule and forming little rituals around when I do the dishes or what I want to eat and when. My college routine exemplifies pure freedom and I relish in it. It’s not to say that I dislike coming home for Thanksgiving or I would prefer being at school, actually quite the opposite. I love that feeling of walking through my front door and being attacked with dog kisses and having a stocked fridge and reuniting with my parents and siblings. But as the days go by and darkness settles in at 4:30 pm my optimism of all the prospects of being home start to fade. So, in order to combat this household dreariness, I’ve put together a list of ways to make the most of your time off. Here are 7 ways to make the most of your college break:

1. Spend Time With Your Parents.

They spend half their time worrying about us and the other half for costing them too much money. But, at the end of the day they’re the folks who brought us into this world, and who got us to where we are now. So, the least we can do is spend some quality time and watch a movie or help them cook dinner. They’ve been looking forward to spending time with you for months.

2. Reach Out To Your High School Friends.

Being a junior in college, I feel lucky to still be very close with my home friends. But, I know that many people haven’t manage to keep those ties. If possible, getting the chance to hang out with some home town heroes could really be a walk down memory lane. These are these people who stuck with you through that award year in middle when you braces, and who held your hand during High School graduation. Whether you like it or not, there will always be a place in your heart for these friends.

3. Get Active.

Being home for so long and not having any work to do means you have a lot of extra time to sit on the couch and watch re-runs of Friends. But, if you want to make the day go by a little faster and feel somewhat productive then throw on your sneakers and get moving! You don’t have to go crazy or anything but doing a 20 minute run through your neighborhood is better than nothing.

4. Look At Old Family Photo Albums.

This is one of my all time favorite things to do when I’m home. Maybe it’s because I’m an emotional wreck, but there’s something about looking at old photos that brings me back to life. This is especially fun if you have family over for Thanksgiving and want to hear some funny old stories about your parents as teenagers.

5. Be Thankful For All the People In Your Life.

This shouldn’t just be done around Thanksgiving. Being home reminds me of all the people who play such crucial roles in my life. My family who grounds me, my friends who inspire me, all of the people that bring so much joy to my life.

Although you might be a little bored at times, when you’re sitting quietly with your mom drinking coffee, or fighting with your siblings over who gets the car, these are the moments that make life worth living. These are the moments that we are truly lucky to have. So, don’t waste this week of being home! Because, before you know it you’ll be back at school drowning in papers and exams and you’ll miss these days where boredom was even an option.