Taking a sick day, playing hooky or taking a personal day: Whatever you want to call it, most of us skip class every now and then.

Before I continue, know that this article is not meant to encourage you to constantly skip class. Doing so can have harsh effects on your grade and, well, you spent all that money on your tuition… you might as well go to class.

However, skipping a class once a month is not going to kill you. Personally, I advise you to save your absences for emergencies and for days when you are truly sick.

But if you are looking at your calendar, and it's March or April, and you have a pretty solid attendance record, it’s safe to miss a class just to do so. If this is your case, here are a few ways to spend your “not-so-sick” sick days.

1. Get a mani-pedi

There is nothing wrong with treating yourself. After spending a semester walking around on campus, writing notes and typing up 20-something page papers, your hands and feet deserve some attention. Look up some nail places near you that offer a great price or daily deals!

2. Go for a drive

I know that, at William Paterson University, there are actually some pretty cool places surrounding the school. We have a gorgeous waterfall in Paterson as well as the beautiful Lambert Castle. There may be some places around your school that have a little bit of history to them. Maybe you will even learn something new.

3. Do some homework

Yeah, I know that this isn’t the prime way to spend a day off from classes. You’re trying to escape school for the day, right? However, sometimes this is necessary in order to help us get projects, papers and other assignments done. Pick a few places around campus to do homework: lounges, the library or maybe a quiet place outside. Maybe there is a pretty area on your campus that is secluded. You won’t know unless you explore!

4. Visit family and friends

If you go to a state school and haven’t seen grandma in a few months, or one of your friends at a nearby school has a light schedule that day, why not pop in for a visit? Put a smile on grandma’s face or make your friend’s day!

5. Have some personal time

You know that book you bought a few months ago that you said you would read and haven’t gotten around to? Maybe spend the day escaping reality in a good book. Watch a movie in your dorm or off campus, go for a drive in the sun, write poetry. As much as it’s fun to be with your friends, it’s necessary to have time to yourself and “check-in” with how you’re doing.

6. Catch up on sleep

Let me guess… you’ve been getting eight hours of sleep every week? Skip your morning class and sleep in or skip your night class and go to sleep right after dinner. We know sleep is important, but we also know that getting a good night’s sleep, especially as the semester is ending, can seem impossible.

7. Have a day with your friends

Can your roommates afford a skip day as well? Take advantage of it and bond! Grab lunch, and have a day with the guys or girls. Visit the mall, get ice cream and catch up on life.

8. Spring cleaning

Is your dorm disgusting? Do you have clothes you have not worn and no longer care about? Take time to get organized! Go through your closet, desk, under the bed and bathroom and see what needs to go and what could be cleaner. Cleaning can help you feel more organized as well.