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I’m sure the dorm is the last place you want over the holiday break, but sometimes that’s the only choice we have. Whether you have work, family issues, or other reasons for staying in the dorm, you can still make the best of it.
You might be the one of the only ones on campus or you might have a couple friends there with you (definitely the better situation).
Either way, these ideas are perfect to ease the loneliness that comes along with being stuck on campus.
Have a movie night
I bought a cheap projector off of Amazon and planned out a movie night. It was super easy to plan, and all I had to do was cook tacos and start the movie!
Everyone loved it, and they all wanted to do it again.
Even if you don’t want to cook or anything else, that’s okay.
You could have a potluck style event or just a movie. Your real friends will want to come and spend time with you regardless.
Are you the only one on campus? That’s okay!
Have your own private movie night or use Hulu watch party!
Bake a Thanksgiving Supper
I know what your thinking!
No one wants to cook in the dorm. I get it. You’re limited on space and the kitchen is probably on a different floor, not to mention how disgusting it is.
Seriously, though. There are so many things you can make in your dorm with just a microwave: mug cakes, easy mac and cheese, instant potatoes, sweet potatoes, etc.
Sure it’s not a homecooked meal, but it’s better than starving
Facetime your Family
If you’re feeling a bit homesick, Facetime or Skype might be your only option. Take advantage of it and be glad technology allows us to have this connection.
It’s definitely not the same, but it is better than nothing.
Binge Watch Your Favorite TV Show
Or, If you’re like my boyfriend and have an entire list of movies you want to watch on movie nights, that will work, too.
Stay up all night and check shows and movies off your list. It’s the break, you finally have the free time to do so!
Clean up Your Social Media
We all know we have those cringy posts from like 7th grade somewhere out there on one of our profiles. Go through and delete them (if you want) or even remove friends that no longer bring value to your life.
Since you’re in college, you have the perfect opportunity to find positive, motivational peers to connect with, so you don’t have to feel bad for cutting off those people who drain that positivity from you.
Check out Local Restaurants
Anyone usually spend most of their time cooped up in their dorm room sleeping or the library studying?
I know I do!
It is so hard to convince yourself to drive somewhere to eat when you are in college. Hopefully, y’all know the feeling. I don’t know why, but no matter how much i want to try a new place, I have to do some heavy convincing to actually get there.
Something about leaving campus just doesn’t sit right with me. It’s just a lot of effort and seems like a waste of time.
Get Ahead on Assignments
We all know Thanksgiving break doesn’t register for our professors. There have been semesters that I have way more to do during breaks than I do during a normal week.
If you are lucky enough not to have this problem, use the time wisely.
Getting ahead on assignments can make your next few weeks a bit easier, so you have more free time and more time to prepare for finals.
I know it is hard to get motivated during what is supposed to be a break, but it is even hard to stay on track when everything piles up.
Have a Spa Night
Obviously, you can’t have the full luxurious bath and all that, but that doesn’t mean you can’t pamper yourself a little.
Its thanksgiving break, so it’s the perfect time to allow yourself to mentally reset before gearing up for finals. I feel like this time is one of the most common times for college student to suffer burnout.
However, I think we can all agree this is the absolute worse time to deal with burnout. After all, it’s time to hit the books and prepare for finals. Whether you have pretty good grades for the semester or finals are going to be your saving grace, most of us are going to need at least a couple hours of study time.
Don’t worry, though. You still have time to get back into the right headspace to ace those tests!
Check out the Gym
If you’re like me, you probably haven’t been to the gym as much as you want because the idea of working out in front of people you go to school with is anxiety inducing.
Guess what?
Very few people are going to be in that gym during the break, especially if the gym is only for students. Head on over and check out some group classes or even just have a quick workout while you have the opportunity.
Relax on Campus
For once, you can relax in your dorm without having to hear people screaming down the hallways.
Make Christmas Gifts for your Friends
Pinterest has tons of cute ideas for easy and cheap Christmas baskets. I actually came across the idea of halloween buckets first and they were supper cute, but there are even better Christmas options.
At the beginning of fall I made little fall baskets, added some handwritten letters, and had a movie night with my friends. They all loved it, and it was so much fun to make. Each basket costed less than $5, which was great for the budget.
Paint some fall scenes
I wish I knew how to paint. I love painting so much, but I am absolutely terrible. However, one time I went to one of those paint and sip style place and somehow actually did a pretty good job. You can get everything you need from dollar tree.
In case you can’t tell I am a Dollar Tree fanatic (oops lol). I will say, you get what you pay for. Don’t expect your dollar tree paint brushes to be the same quality that the pros are using.
If you’re expecting a painting or you want to sell them, I would recommend investing a bit more money in your supplies.
Regardless your reason for painting, skill level, or supply quality, painting is a great way to destress. I would also recommend Batik Painting if you want to try something new. It is really fun, too!
Make New Playlists
I’ll be the first to admit I just add all the music I like to one playlist, but I know plenty of people that have over 20 playlists based on their moods, genres, and other deciding factors.
If that sounds like you, you probably already thought of this. If that doesn’t sound like you, give it a try if you think you would actually use the different playlists. You could even use your main playlist as a guide.
Your future self might appreciate having the perfect music for every occasion.
Study in the Common Area
Personally, I am not a fan of the commons because our only food options are in there, which makes it super busy and loud. Luckily, with so many people off campus, both of those problems would be solved.
If you’re feeling studious, you might want to take this opportunity to get out of your dorm and study. I never hurts to get ahead.
Set up a hammock on campus
I have had a hammock for like two year that I bought for this exact purpose…. but i feel so awkward setting up a hammock and sitting there while people walk by. I don’t know how people do it.
If you don’t have a hammock you could just set out a picnic blanket and relax. Of course this would depend on the weather. I personally do not like the cold (no, seriously, I hate it), so this would be unlikely for me, honestly.
Plan a Vacation
Do you like to travel?
If so this is a great option for you. I love planning trips just as much as I like going on them.
So, get to work and plan the trip of a lifetime, even if you don’t think you’ll ever be able to go on this trip, its fun to dream, right?
Plan every detail, set a budget, make an itinerary. Do it all! After all, you have plenty of time right now.
Have a photoshoot on campus
If your campus is as pretty as mine is, there are probably plenty of places you can take some cute picture. If you really want to go all out, buy a few props and have some fun with it.
Sure, the people on campus might judge you, but that’s their problem, not yours. Plus, like we have already mentioned, there aren’t that many people on campus anyways.
Read a Book
So, I recently added “read 5 new books” to my list of goals this year. Since my boyfriend will be working most of time I’ll be home, I will probably be checking at least one book off the list.
I plan on making this a goal every year because I love learning new things, so if you have any recommendations, let me know! I prefer personal development books, but I am open to anything.
After all, many successful people consider reading one of the keys to success.
Declutter Your Room
It is so easy for us to pile up papers, trinkets, and other junk that don’t add much value to our lives. According to research, this can be detrimental to our productivity and wellbeing. So take this time to clean up your room and get rid of all that extra stuff. It might be the game changer for your study effectiveness.
Have a Picnic
Grab that picnic blanket we talked about earlier and pack a lunch to eat at the local park or even around campus. I love the idea of picnics. From the crazy extravagant one to a simple quaint picnic, they have such good vibes.
If it isn’t too cold, secure a nice spot nearby and enjoy a little personal time.
Try Something New
Ever wanted to try a new hobby, but just never had the time? Learning a new hobby can be a time consuming process. If you’re usually so overwhelmed with school and work that you can’t even think about learning a hobby, take this time to explore some different options, and just see what sticks.
Hang Out With Others On Campus
Making friends on campus can be so hard. In case you haven’t noticed, everyone is consumed with their responsibilities, so they’re usually not concerned with building new relationships.
Great news, though. Everyone else on campus is just as bored as you are. Post on social media and see if you can find anyone else on campus. If that doesn’t work, just walk up to the people you see around.
I know it can be intimidating, but most people want to make friends, they just don’t want to deal with the awkwardness that comes with it. Get out of your comfort zone and make a few friends. You never know what doors it might open for you.
Overall, being stuck on campus isn’t usually the ideal situation, but there are definitely ways to make the best of it.
Which of these ideas are you going to try?