TPie /AeJieMh Memid
November 29, 2017
How To Beat Winter Break Boredom
Sarah Smerko, Features Editor
The tirst several days of winter
break are glorious: sleeping in,
wearing pajamas all day; endless
Netflix. But then that moment of
shame comes when Netflix asks
“Are you still watching?’’, and you
realize you have dried Cheeto dust
on your laptop and you see your
unbrushed hair in the reflection of
your laptop and decide that it is
time to get off of the couch. If you
get bored of watching TV (there
is such a thing has too much
Netflix!), try one of these winter
break activities!
Read for fun
We do so much academic reading
for class that it is easy to forget
what reading for pleasure is likel
i currently have several unread
books on my shelf collecting dust
that I am excited to dig in to over
break. Check out your local public
library or used book store for
free or cheap new reads. (Or ask
family members for a gift card to
your favorite bookstore for the
holidays).
Get in shape
It can be tempting to sit around
and watch the 25 Days of
Christmas while eating holiday
treats, but if that’s all you do over
break, you won't be able to get
off the couch. I plan to eat my fair
share of Christmas cookies AND
get back in the swing of running-
it’s all about balancel I’m still
mooching off of my family’s YMCA
membership, but there’s still
ways to exercise without a gym
membership. Just lace up a pair of
running shoes and get outsidel
Learn to cook
I’m personally sick of my five go-to
dinner recipes, but it’s hard to find
time during my busy school week
to teach myself a new recipe. I
plan on scouring mom’s cookbook
collection for some new ideas over
break.
Get a head start on spring
cleaning
I like to clean out my closet every
season and put together a bag
of clothes to donate to Good Will
or Bargain Box. If you don’t wear
that shirt from tenth grade in the
back of your closet, go ahead and
donate it so someone else can get
some good use out of it. A good
closet-cleaning makes room for
new clothes.
Do something creative
You don’t have to be an artist to
pick up some colored pencils or
crayons and a coloring book. Or
maybe you have always wanted
to learn how to kniti Winter break
is a great time to de-stress from a
busy semester with some relaxing,
creative activities like coloring,
painting, drawing, or crafting.
When I get bored of binge
watching Parks and Recreation,
you will find me doing one of these
relaxing and fun activities! Who
knows, maybe you will pick up a
new skill or hobby to carry into
2018I
HAVE A GREAT
WINTER BREAK!
-THE MEREDITH
HERALD STAFF
Why You Should Study Abroad This Summer
Ashley Ricks, Staff Writer
Have you ever dreamed of
studying abroad, but you do not
believe you have enough time jn
your schedule to study abroad for
an entire semester? Weil, luckily
there is an array of study abroad
programs that occur during the
summerl Meredith has up to 11
programs just for the summer of
2018. These programs include
trips to Italy, Peru, Cuba, Spain,
Paris, and the United Kingdom.
If you want to travel to a place
where a Meredith program
does not exist, the Office of
International Programs has an
entire list of reputable affiliate
programs students can choose
from. Previous students who
have studied abroad during the
summer found that they were able
to immerse themselves in a new
culture while also taking courses
that pertained to the country
they are studying in. Stephanie
Semaan, who is currently a junior
majoring in psychology, studied
abroad during the summer of 2017
with the Italian Life and Culture
program. Semaan believes her
experience abroad “made me
grow as a person because I had
to navigate a foreign country by
myseif for the very first time. The
complications that arose from
traveling in a new country made
me grow into a better person.’’
Semaan believes studying abroad
has impacted her life in a positive
way and recommends anyone who
is able to embark on this once in a
lifetime opportunity.
Even though the summer
seems to be a long ways ahead, it
is never too early to start thinking
about applying for the summer
programs.
Semaan
recommends
“applicants finish
their application
during winter
break because
students often
have a lot more
time during the
break to work on
their application.”
it is also
suggested for
applicants to talk
to professionals
who can write a
recommendation
for the applicant
early on to prevent any added
stress on the recommender.
Feb. 15 is the deadline for
most Meredith abroad summer
Photo Courtesy of Stephanie Semaan.
programs, but applicants should
ideally get their materials in before
this date to have an even better
chance of getting into the program.
Not Another Canvas Painting: Big/Little Gift Ideas
Tishya Robertson, Staff Writer
Are both finals and Christmas
creeping up on you? Secret Santa,
Big/Little dinners, and other parties
are imminent, so here are a few
gift ideas for your bigs, littles,
roommates, and other friends so
you don’t have to make them yet
another canvas painting or get
them candles that aren’t even
allowed in the residence halls.
Socks — Target has new Advent
calendars featuring Twelve Days of
Socks for $15. Let your pals count
down the days until Christmas with
warm feet.
Baked goods —If you love
baking, give them something
homemade. Make sure you subtly
ask them about any food allergies
beforehand though.
Stickers — Your friend’s laptop
or water bottle will thank you for
using Redbubble, which offers
a plethora of stickers for any
interests. Plus, if you buy at least
ten, all of your stickers are half offi
Room decor — Francesca’s
and Altar’d State have lots of
reasonably-priced wall decor and
trinkets to decorate any apartment
or dorm room while maintaining
your aesthetic.
Bath bombs — Although older
generations see these as a
millennial luxury, they can help you
de-stress, especially as a college
student. #TreatYoSelf and get one
too.
Matching jewelry — Prove to
everyone in sight that you’re
the best big or little ever with
coordinating necklaces or
bracelets. You have an excuse to
get yourself something to wear too.
A donation to their favorite
charity — Giving to women’s
health organizations, local food
banks, disaster funds, and
churches can help others in need
this holiday season.
Gift cards — If you’ve
procrastinated too hard on your
Christmas shopping along with
your end-of-semester projects
and papers, gift cards are the
way to go. E-gift cards are even
personalizable with cute designs
and your own message. You
can't go wrong with money for
Starbucks or Target (especially if
you can use it at the new one on
Hillsborough Street).
Lastly, if all else fails, just get
those creative juices flowing, hit
up Pinterest, and adorn their walls
with another one-of-a-kind piece
by you. No matter what you give,
your Big/Little will absoutley love it!