6 Things You Can & Should Do Over Winter Break

By Adaeze Nwokolobia on December 18, 2018

Dear College Student,

School is almost out and you are wondering. What do I do over winter break? Oh, there is no doubt you would want to sleep for a whole week straight after the stress of finals. Would this be before or after you check your semester grades? I would think after. Regardless, it is so cold out, the snow is more than ankle length and the winds are so caustic that anything other than staying indoors huddled on the couch watching Netflix is a no-no. The tempting offer of hibernating throughout the break. Oh, to close the blinds and fall into dreamless sleep. Wake up! There are a lot of things you can do over winter break that are not sleep-related or ice-related either.

I believe it is important to enjoy winter break and come back refreshed in time for the spring semester. Hopefully, you have a plan and not just last minute stressing over where to go for winter break. Most people go home to family because it is the holidays and seriously, who could love you better than family? But after meeting the family, what to do next? You do have a whole month for break. And if you are not part of the visit-the-family lot because you are an international student or you go to school so out-of-state you can’t go home. How do you spend a month-long break and enjoy it? Fret not, here are six things you can do and should do over winter break.

What to do for winter break

via Pixabay.com

1. Work a part-time job

If you are not traveling home and would be staying in your college town, it would be best to secure a part-time job around town or on-campus. Granted, most shops will be closed for winter break and campus would be empty as well. Thing is, sometimes the campus library and the bookstore remain open for most of the winter break save Christmas and New Year day. You can apply to work on-campus.

Also, if you are over 21 some bars and lounges remain open throughout the holidays. You can get a little extra cash to splurge and generally feel better especially since most of us are tired, penniless and struggling college kids. More money saves lives and debts. If you at home with family, you can try working a remote job or internship. This means you can work from home either as a virtual assistant/customer care service attendant or a content writer. More so, this would boost your resume and gain you extra points in your professional life.

2. Vamp up your social media

If you do not have a LinkedIn profile, this would be the best time to create one and start networking. Professional social media sites like LinkedIn and AngelList give you the chance to connect with potential employers and mentors alike with the latter, specifically connecting young people with start-up companies. Social media extends so far beyond our personal lives to our business and professional lives.

These days during hiring processes companies typically ask for your social media accounts so it is best to keep them updated and functional. If you are a starting YouTuber, this winter break would be a great time to create more content and post more videos. If you like pictures and selfies, get outside, take nice shots and post on your Instagram.  On Snapchat, share fun outdoorsy stories and stay connected with your friends.

And when was the last time you visited twitter? Some companies actually ask job candidates for twitter handles and whether they actually go through your profile or not, it is important to have a functional and existing account. If you are a Pinterest lover, pin more photos, create more boards and find more creativity online. Whatever you plan to do online, just remember to be productive and have fun as well.

3. Travel to a city for the weekend

I believe if we all could, we would travel somewhere warmer maybe the Caribbean or the state of California? However, if you are on a budget but still looking to get out of the house and set your sights on something different. You can travel to a nearby city, stay the weekend and do a tour. Look at urban city holiday decorations (quite festive if I might say and less tacky), take the train downtown and mix with the city.

The hustle and bustle of a city can be really energizing and think places like New York, Chicago. They get crazy during the holidays what with car and pedestrian traffic but just as exciting as well. Planning a weekend is enough to keep you pumped and elated so get right on it just as long as your plan is realistic, achievable and well within budget.

via Pixabay.com

4. Do brunch with friends

This winter break, try not to be that person who sits home eating leftovers from Christmas dinner while waiting to get invited for a cool and sophisticated New Year’s party. The kind with themes and costumes. A momentous event to launch the start of the year in grand style. It’s likely that that invitation might never come through as regular people like you and I typically spend New Year’s Day with family or loved ones. At home.

So before then, try to go out to brunch and meet with friends. You can all dress up, cozy up at a cute restaurant and enjoy pancakes, omelets, fresh fruit, and hot coffee together. If you are feeling inspired, you can hint at the idea of a late New Year’s party when everyone can get away to hang out and watch fireworks. If it doesn’t float. It is still important to get out, eat and surround yourself with love and laughter rather than sitting on your behind all day at home

5. Go shopping or Watch windows

It is the holidays for a reason, free time to shop and buy gifts. While some people prefer to shop with their family during the holidays, others take time off to shop alone using their Christmas gift cards and year-round savings. I mean there is still back to school shopping so don’t go crazy and max out your cards on trivial stuff, still giddy on the holiday spirit. This winter break, you can visit different malls and stores test perfume samples, try skin care product samples and buy what your heart pleases without breaking the bank. If you cannot afford to shop what with maxing out your card buying gifts for the whole family.

Simply, go to the mall and watch windows. What this means is, look at storefront displays in a non-loitering way. They can be quite comforting. After that, ride on the carousel and eat a really large ice cream cone. If you still do not want to go outside, try online shopping it is quite exciting to wake up and see packages outside your door. Keeps the holiday spirit going even after it is long gone. Just remember that it is you paying for those packages, not Santa dropping in on you. And if you have no intention of spending any money online, simply visit your favorite store online, peruse model fittings on drop down display sections as well as view store catalogs. You can learn how to mix and match clothes better and other useful style tips.

6. Do volunteer work

Finally, this winter break, go out and do some good work. Volunteer. It could be at an animal shelter or a children’s hospital or a care home. Regardless, clear out your non-existent schedule and cluttered closet and find time to donate clothes and efforts to a worthy cause. This way, you are contributing positively to your community and improving yourself as an individual. Matter of fact, you can volunteer in your own home do the home cleaning without getting told to so, shovel the snow, take down the lights when due. Apply yourself.  Life is what you make of it, so make the most of your winter break. You are only a young undergraduate once! Don’t sleep on yourself.

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