Thanksgiving Break is quickly approaching, which means it is time to start packing a suitcase, booking a bus ticket home and preparing to see family; that is, unless you are planning to spend Thanksgiving Break in a dorm this year.
Unfortunately, not everyone can go home for the holidays. Several students have to spend their Thanksgiving from the comfort of their school’s campus. Though potentially saddening, some students will have to find alternative ways to celebrate the holiday alone.
With the majority of the student body gone, Ohio University’s campus can feel eerily empty. It can seem like you are the only person on campus and can take away from the joy of the holiday season. To combat the impending boredom from spending Thanksgiving break alone and on campus, here are a few ideas.
With nowhere to go and nothing to do, it is the perfect time to pick up a new hobby. It can be difficult to find time to learn new skills and be creative while classes are in session.
For those who enjoy making crafts, you can start a scrapbook with old pictures or learn how to knit or draw. However, the creative possibilities are endless if crafting does not sound intriguing to you.
It could also be entertaining to take up cooking or baking. Though it might be difficult to prepare food in a dorm, several fun recipes can be made in a microwave. A few residence halls on campus also have communal kitchens located inside.
Another way to pass the time could be to explore local coffee shops. Athens is home to a variety of coffee shops, such as Donkey Coffee, Court Street Coffee, Brenen’s Coffee Cafe and Fluff Bakery, where you can find a comfortable spot and grab a tasty drink and a pastry.
Coffee shops are also great for leisurely activities, so you can bring in a hobby or school work to complete. During Thanksgiving Break, it is important to go to a space where it is possible to interact with other individuals when spending so much time alone.
Exercise is a great way for you to emphasize the importance of spending time outside. Though Ping Recreation Center will be closed during Thanksgiving break, there are several other ways to get active.
You can enjoy the lovely fall weather with a stroll by the Hocking Adena Bikeway Trail or a fun hike at Hocking Hills. You can also learn a new dance or yoga exercise by watching videos on YouTube. By getting active and going outside, time will fly and make a day feel productive.
Another perfect and also productive way to spend the break is updating a resume, writing a cover letter and creating a portfolio or website. OU’s resume page has tips on how to revamp existing documents.
As for creating a portfolio or website, it is best to review past projects and pick a few top contenders to showcase. Platforms such as Canva or Wix can help you find an appealing design and start adding media. Several internship positions are currently open for applications, so you should use this time to enhance your online and professional appearance.
For those who are feeling extra productive this Thanksgiving break, you can spend time cleaning, decluttering and reorganizing. It can be very easy to let your space get messy quickly during the school year. A messy room can contribute to an unhappy and stressful atmosphere, and you can use this break to clean commonly used areas to create a positive atmosphere instead.
A great way to decompress during the break is by staying up to date with new media. You can look up artists who have just released new music or watch a trending show or movie.
A versatile music taste is developed by exploring new music genres. New playlists can represent current moods, seasons or vibes. You can even play around by customizing unique playlist covers. After the break, you can use these playlists while walking to class.
As for trending TV shows and movies, a scroll through platforms such as Netflix or Hulu can lead to something captivating. For sentimental viewers, Netflix has recently released a few romantic Christmas movies including “Hot Frosty” or “Meet Me Next Christmas.” However, if romance does not sound appealing, you can visit Hulu and tune into popular shows such as “The Bear” or “Only Murders in the Building.”
Hopefully, these few ideas can help those who plan to spend Thanksgiving Break on campus. Though it can be difficult to have to spend the holiday alone, you can find ways to make the most out of an uneventful few days.
