Without spending it entirely on your phone

Waking up to a snow day is the absolute best. There’s no school and you have the whole day to yourself. However, most of us spend this time on our phones, wasting this blessed day. So, I am here to bring you out of your phone addiction and give you better ways to spend your snow day!

“Oh no, I forgot to give my friend/relative a present!” If this is you, use that snow day to make that last-minute present, like making a sentimental video of how you appreciate them, or jumble up old photos and make a digital or physical photo album. Draw something, make a song for them (although a song might take time) – be creative, you have no excuse to not do it. I have seen people make custom Minecraft builds as a gift or embroidering, giving dream haircuts or custom jewelry. There are a lot of possibilities, so try it!

Another thing is catching up with that old friend or relative. I know we all can get carried away with the prominent people in our lives, and I don’t blame us, but why not reach out to our old favorite people – your old bestie from fifth grade, or that one cousin you only see on Thanksgiving? I know it’s hard to talk to people, but it never hurts to try! Show love to people! Give them a call or visit; you never know if checking on someone will make their day. 

Why don’t you go outside and enjoy the snow? Embrace your inner child, and maybe even have a snowball fight! Winter is beautiful; get that coat and your boots, take a stroll with some friends, and rank the best holiday decorations in your neighborhood. I recommend you do it in the late evenings, as the decorations look their best. You could even go ice skating either indoors or outdoors. Junior Agnes Lagustan commented, “I would want to touch the snow and make a snow angel or something because last year was kind of disappointing. I hope it snows!”

Start a reflective journal! It will help with mental health and make you a better writer! Reflect on your New Year’s resolutions: did you come through last year? Be honest about it, and maybe you’ll find you need a positive change in your life. Listen to your favorite playlist, make some hot cocoa, and sit in solitude and write. It is therapy for your mind, body, and soul.

Speaking of your favorite playlist, declutter that playlist of yours and make playlists for different places or classes you are in, maybe even a study playlist. Music makes everything better! But I recommend songs without lyrics for a study playlist.

Another idea is to give your room a makeover! There are a lot of ideas on Pinterest and YouTube, but you don’t need fancy aesthetic materials to make your room look pretty, reuse stuff. Maybe you need to change your sheets or rearrange the things in your room. You could also give your wardrobe a makeover. Have you changed your style? Pick out the clothes you don’t want, and give them to a relative, friend, or donate them to a charity center. Pick up those hidden dirty clothes and put them in your hamper too!

You could have a self-care maintenance day, take a bath/shower, wash/do your hair, do your skincare routine, work out, or make a healthy meal. This is a day to relax and enjoy it while it lasts. Invite your friends over and watch that favorite movie or TV series you all wanted to binge-watch. Freshman Abi Maja commented, “I’m gonna sleep, to be honest. No work, just sleep.”

Look for scholarships, universities, or just start planning for the future. You’ve put off this for a long time! (At least I know I did!). But I mean, this is the best time to do it anyway, so stop procrastinating, snuggle up, get your computer and notebook, and start exploring. Trust me, before the day runs out, you will find something.

For a snow day, the options of things to do are endless. Ms. Benson, our beloved science teacher, explained what she does on a snow day, “I usually wake up later in the day, I’m not a morning person. Then I’d probably make some breakfast for my husband, then I watch the same three comedies I usually binge, maybe go outside, but I doubt it. I wanna be snug.”

I hope you consider some of my ideas and discover some of your own. I hope your snow days will be full of rest, relaxation, and fun!