As the term comes to an end, I know this can be a very stressful time for us students. We have last minute projects and assignments due, finals coming up, essays we have not finished… it is pretty overwhelming. Sometimes, this time of year, mixed with the cold weather and the fact that the sun sets at 4pm now, can be really depressing. But we are so close to the end! Winter break gets closer every single day, and vacation mode is not so far away!
With all this studying, it is very important to take study breaks so you do not get too tired or drained. In honour of our winter break being so close (yet still so far away), I have made a list of some of the best study break activities to turn your study space into a winter wonderland! I know that for me, having some fun decorations can really lift my mood and create a cozier atmosphere, so I hope that these can do the same for you. Especially since this year, we are all stuck inside more than ever, I think it’s really important to create a fun and uplifting study and work environment.
Here are some of my favorite winter study break activities. Since everyone has different interests, I thought I would speak to a few different types of activities. Below I will share one creative and crafty activity, one food related activity, and a few active ones. At the end I will share some more wellness centered activities. Here they are:
1. Crafty activity: Turn your room into a winter wonderland with paper snowflakes! Here’s how:
Step 1. Start with a square paper. Follow the red line in the picture for step 1 and fold in half diagonally to make a triangle.[/column]
Step 2. Fold in half on the red line again.
Step 3. Once you’ve folded it twice, fold the triangle in thirds, so you get three triangles within it. Each fold should be roughly a 30 degree angle. For the first one, fold on the red line in the picture for step 3.
Step 4. For the second fold, follow the red line in the picture for step 4.
Step 5 & 6. Turn around to the back and then cut along the dotted line seen in the picture for step 5. Your snowflake should now look like the picture for step 6.
Step 7 & 8. Make your design! Draw it out first as seen in the picture for step 7, or just go straight to cutting it out, so it looks like something similar to the picture in step 8. Make your own beautiful design of course!
Step 9. Unfold and tada! You’ve made a beautiful paper snowflake!
Fun tips: Use construction paper for fun funky colourful snowflakes, or use craft scissors with a patterned blade for a cool design!
2. Foodie Activity: Make the best hot chocolate ever for a warm and cozy study snack
Madeleine’s Recipe:
Step 1. Get your favourite chocolate bar (I like dark chocolate; it gives your hot chocolate a really rich flavour). If it is around 50grams, use the whole thing! Otherwise, measure roughly 50 grams from a bigger bar (or multiple smaller ones). This makes a super chocolaty hot chocolate, so if you do not want as rich a drink, reduce the chocolate by up to half.
Step 2. Chop it up or break into pieces with your hands into a small pot, and melt on low heat over the stove until most of the chocolate has melted. Be careful not to let it burn or stick to the bottom of the pot!
When most of the chocolate is melted, take your favourite milk (or milk substitute) and slowly add it to the pot. If you like cow’s milk, 2% or higher makes for a very creamy drink. Make sure you do this very slowly, so that the chocolate absorbs the milk completely before you add more. Start by adding roughly a tablespoon at a time. Do this until you have added about half a cup of milk. After that you can add the milk in larger amounts. I would use roughly a cup and a half of milk all together.
Step 3. Top it off with whipping cream and mini marshmallows! Hot cocoa super buddy: shortbread!! You know that feeling when the cookie absorbs the hot chocolate and then it melts in your mouth – tough to beat that. (But really, any cookie works, we’re not picky.)
Madeleine’s non-dairy tip: If dairy is not your first choice, might I suggest vanilla oat milk creamer? Typically, this is for your coffee, but if you have a bit of a sweet tooth you might find it pairs nicely with the rich flavour of the chocolate! Any non-dairy milk will work of course, but this is my favourite!
3. Active activity: Do a winter themed dance to get your blood flowing and your heart pumping!
Since we are all pretty much stuck at home on our computers all day, it is easy to lose focus and start falling asleep at our desks. The best way to regain that focus is to get our blood flowing and get energized. Here are some fun winter themed moves to get you up and moving.
Option 1: Snow angel dance
- Start by getting some snow (ice works if you do not have snow) and let it melt on your head. This will help you to get in the headspace of a snow angel. Once you think you are cold enough, stand up and do the most elegant jumping jacks imaginable. What a graceful snow angel you are!
Option 2: Pre-ski prep simulation:
- Get the chunkiest, most uncomfortable shoes you can find. If you have ski boots, even better. Now find something extremely heavy, and carry it in the most uncomfortable way imaginable. Now run up and down the nearest stairs 5 times!
Option 3: Moose race:
- This one is best done with a friend! Take a bag of mini carrots and place carrots around the house. Start in the same location and, on the count of 3, all players crawl on all fours like a moose to see who can eat the most carrots. 1 point for each carrot consumed. Bonus points awarded to any player who plays with a large and unbalanced item tied to their head (to simulate antlers).
Option 4: Get Active at Home with UBC Recreation:
· If these silly ideas are not quite what you are looking for, but you DO want to stay active at home, UBC Rec is bringing the movement to you! They are offering free movement sessions and fitness classes, live online. All you need is your laptop or phone. If you want to learn more about this, you can check out the UBC Recreation website.
4. Good for you and your wellness: Call a friend or a loved one and check in with them during these unusual times!
As the days get shorter and colder, and the term drags on with more deadlines and stress, it is important to remember that we are not alone. If you have a minute, call your mom, your dad, your grandparents, your best friend, your dog… take a minute to remind your loved ones that you love them and that you are here for them today.
While keeping in touch with friends and family definitely counts as self-care, I would also like to just touch on some other things we can do for ourselves. If you haven’t already heard of the Thrive 5, it is definitely worth checking out. My ideas above start to cover the “moving more”, “eating well”, and “saying hi” aspects, but you still need to make sure you are “sleeping soundly” and “giving back”. If you are interested in learning more about ways to thrive, check out 5 ways to put the Thrive 5 into action. It is never a bad time to do more for yourself!
I hope some of these winter themed study break ideas were a success! If you tried any of these, please share with us! We want to see all your beautiful snowflakes and silly videos of your moose races! You can send us pictures or videos through Instagram @ubclearn (or search for Chapman Learning Commons). You can also direct-message us if you have any feedback or recommendations on our study break ideas!