Survival Tips for Winter
Aside from the short-lived holiday spirit, everyone can attest that winter term is pretty drab. The walk to Elm on weekends can be freezing and the sky turns dark before 4:30 pm. Last year, I tried out a few things to brighten up the sad hours of winter, and these activities came out on top.
Tea Party: When it’s cold outside, what’s better than a warm cup of tea that you can sip while catching up on the latest gossip? It’s dorm-friendly and a great way to make new friends with dorm mates that you haven’t gotten a chance to get close with. Our favorite teas (among the relatively accessible varieties) are Bigelow Classic Green Tea or Twinings Earl Grey. If hot, flavored water isn’t your cup of tea, you can easily swap it out for hot chocolate or coffee.
Fashion Show: Have you ever wanted a chance to flaunt off the model status you’ve been hiding away all of these years? Well, fashion shows are the best way to get your true self out there. Gather all of your friends—especially the ones with the cool clothes—and bring out the crazy accessories! The hallways were created for your strut, and if you want an extra challenge that will also add in an exercise component, stairs are another great setting. Most importantly, don’t forget the ending poses! Pictures from a fashion show are great sources for embarrassing birthday posts in the future. We would also recommend background music—Scream & Shout by will.i.am and many Britney Spears songs have iconic beats for catwalking.
Karaoke Competition: This game is slightly more organized than the previous two and requires teams. To play, choose a judge who will pick a keyword that the teams have to have in the titles of the songs they sing. For example, if the key word is love, the teams can sing songs like Fake Love by Drake, I Love You by Barney or Bad at Love by Halsey. Keep going between each team until there are no more applicable song titles or until people become bored. Even if you’re just watching, make sure to sing along (preferably at the top of your lungs).
Food Haul or Cooking: What better time to eat a bunch of food than the coldest months of the year? Stock up on ingredients from Grill and pull out all your leftovers in the fridge. Look over the ingredients, mix them together, and experiment to create new dishes! We recommend combining hot cheetos and chocolate ice cream. Anything is possible with snacks, but most of all, you can prove your chef skills when you invite your friends to try your creations. Turning this into a competition is also fun, but make sure to clean up the kitchen afterwards!
Under-bed Lair: There’s no better cure to the dark nights of winter term than pure denial that it’s winter! Get a couple of friends to help you lift your bed to the highest rung, and collect as many blankets as you can. Crawl under your bed and spread the most comfortable blankets you can find across the floor. If you can, put the blankets on top of a mattress topper for added comfort. Grab a bunch of lights, and attach them all around your new lair. Now, you have your very own personal den in the comfort of your own dorm room. Invite friends over and huddle together to save warmth from the bitter cold. In fact, it’s the perfect place to host a movie marathon while eating the snacks you just prepared!