Though winter is perhaps the most polarizing season, everyone can agree that the winter break is a great opportunity for spending time with family and friends. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic has derailed more than just holiday plans; it has put gatherings on hold indefinitely. For many, the prospect of suffering from cabin fever is more than enough to dampen spirits. But staying home need not be unnerving—there are so many things you can do to pass the time. If you’re wondering what to do during the winter holidays, you’ve come to the right place. Here are the top tips for students on how to enjoy winter while on lockdown.
1. Catch up on schoolwork
Winter break is a great time to unwind. But if you want to get high marks by the next term, you’re probably better off spending the holidays catching up on your coursework. There are many ways to do this. You can read your textbooks ahead of everyone, you can ask your professor for extra credit, or you can review your past lessons.
But if you find yourself saddled with too many requirements, you can enlist the help of professionals. There are a lot of companies on the Internet like professays.com that will gladly complete tasks for you for reasonable fees. Delegate your research papers and other assignments to experienced writers so that you will have enough time for other commitments.
2. Get a part-time job
The good thing about modern technology is it allows people to work remotely. In fact, there are probably more people working from home today than at any point in history. Many companies offer short-term employment on the Internet. Online freelancing platforms serve as marketplaces where you can offer your services as well as browse job ads. There are many seasonal jobs that you can sign up for, from one-time gigs to short-term employment lasting a few weeks. By letting you spend time wisely while earning you money, getting a part-time job earns a spot as one of the best lockdown tips for the holidays.
3. Binge on films and series
If working or studying isn’t your cup of tea and you prefer to spend the winter break exerting as little effort as possible, then binge-watching might be what you need. The Internet is filled with streaming platforms offering tons of content. Whether you want to see holiday romance films that give you all those fuzzy feelings, a fast-paced action thriller that will have your heart racing in this cold weather, or classic hilarious sitcoms from past decades, there is content that’s just right for you.
And, did we mention that you can also access fantastic works from other countries like South Korea, whose films and series have taken the world by storm? Ready your cozy pajamas and your hot chocolate because college winter break will have you running a marathon.
4. Find a new hobby
Another way to pass the time while staying home this winter break is trying out new activities. The past few years have seen a surge in the popularity of hobbies and pastimes. Activities once considered as old-fashioned like knitting, embroidery, and completing jigsaw puzzles are being rediscovered by young people, especially now that people have more time on their hands than they know what to do with. There is something meditative about these activities, which means they are an excellent way to spend time in solitude, take a break from social media, and just relax your mind while your hands work.
5. Learn a new skill
Similar to having a new hobby, you can also enjoy your college winter break by learning a new skill. Hectic schedules and heavy course loads often prevent students from acquiring new skills. But this long winter break where you’re just staying home offers you the chance to try it now.
There are just so many new skills to choose from! You can teach yourself how to cook certain types of dishes, practice baking bread and pastries, or learn a new language. You don’t even have to enroll in formal classes. The Internet is filled with tutorials that will teach you basic lessons and give you good advice.
6. Do some deep cleaning and decluttering
While spring cleaning is a time-honored tradition, you can always choose to do this earlier. With little to do during the winter break and with so much time on your hands, why not get a head start by deep cleaning and decluttering your home? Letting go of stuff you no longer need couldn’t have come at a more opportune time since you can donate perfectly usable items to charity. The pandemic has hit many people badly, and donating your unused stuff can make winter brighter and warmer for others.
7. Attend online talks and webinars
Due to the pandemic, organizations are finding new and creative ways to shift their operations and deliver services online: museums that remain closed to the public hold virtual tours, cultural institutions offer live performances online, and centers for learning deliver lectures through webinars.
If you’re the type who once enjoyed going to such cultural and educational events, you can still do so through the wonders of the Internet. It might not be the same as before, but these activities are very much worth it while considering how they can enrich your life even when you’re just at home.
This year’s winter break is probably the first time in decades when most students will stay home. Measures put in place to halt the spread of the virus, such as lockdowns and social distancing, mean students have no choice but to give up their original plans. No parties, no vacations, no large gatherings. If you’re worried about getting bored at home, you no longer need to think about what to do during the pandemic. These best tips for students will keep you busy all throughout your winter break.
