Your guide to avoiding abject boredom this spring break
Spring break is finally here and you find yourself with nothing to do and an entire week to kill. Well, worry not! Here are some fun ideas to spice up your spring break.
Touch grass: I know the weather is a little weird, but go outside. Take a walk. Sit in the grass and watch the birds fly by. With midterms and the scholarship deadline, it’s important to sit down, relax and refresh. And what better way to refresh than sitting outside?
Just Binge it: Do you have a show or a movie you’ve been meaning to watch? Now is the time! Take a look through Netflix or Hulu; with thousands of titles, there has to be something that speaks to you. Or, take the time to watch something new. Some titles I’d recommend would be “Lucy,” “Wonder Woman” and “The Disastrous Life of Saiki K.”
Get friendly: I know that a lot of people travel or have plans during the break, but it doesn’t hurt to reach out to your friends. Whether it’s watching a movie together on Discord or just having a chat over the phone, it’s always nice to take time to talk with your friends.
Go exploring: Whether you’re a longtime resident or you’re just staying for school, this is the perfect time to explore Minnesota and its lovely tourist attractions and landmarks. While some attractions that immediately come to mind are the Mall of America and Nickelodeon Universe, there are other fun attractions such as the Guthrie Theatre, the Minnesota Zoo, the Minnesota Sculpture Garden and more.
Get a hobby: Is there a hobby or skill that you’ve always wanted to learn but never had the time? Or just something that you saw that looks interesting? Well, now’s the time! I know, a week is a short time to start learning a new hobby, but think of it this way: you can give it a try, and if you like it, you can continue learning and improving in your free time, and if you don’t, well, at least you gave it a try.
Pod people: Now I’m one of those people who enjoy listening to podcasts, and if you like having something in the background while you lie down or work, I highly recommend browsing Spotify for something new to listen to. If you don’t know where to start, I would recommend “Welcome to Nightvale,” “Batman Unburied” and “The Magnus Archives.”
Book it: Look, I know a lot of you would rather scroll through Instagram instead of reading a book, but honestly, read a book. I mean it. Go to the library, find something that sounds interesting, and lose yourself in a good book. Sitting down with a cup of coffee or tea in a comfortable chair with a good book and a blanket is one of the best ways to unwind.
Catch some zzzz: And finally, get some rest. I know a lot of you were probably thinking it, but yes, take the time to catch up on sleep and enjoy not having to get up and race to class for a while. Get comfortable and close your eyes, and let your stress melt away.
No matter how you choose to spend your break, I hope it’s a great one. Congratulations on finishing midterms, and may you all have a wonderful spring break!
Write to Ellie Meschke at eleanor.meschke@my.normandale.edu
Header Photo: Spring break is around the corner, and many students may be spending their time off at home. To make the most of spring of break, there are many things to do around Mankato and Minnesota for the week. (Courtesy Flickr)