As Thanksgiving break creeps up, NIU students should prepare their plans for the half week off next week. 

From Nov. 27 to Dec. 1, you’ll have the perfect opportunity to unwind and celebrate with those close to you. Even if the holiday isn’t celebrated in your house, the break off school is a celebration in itself. Here are some ideas to make this break the best one yet. 

START THE DO-IT-YOURSELF PROJECT YOU’RE PUTTING OFF

Is it knitting? Woodworking? Crafts? Photography? Art? 

Personally, I have a gazillion physical photos from trips I’ve been on that I want to either hang on my wall or put into a picture book. 

Making a scrapbook could be a fun activity  to keep yourself busy. Or you can use the break to create a piece of art that you can show your guests. 

TAKE A TRIP

Speaking of photos from trips, Thanksgiving break is the perfect amount of time away to take a little road trip. 

Even if you’re booked for the holiday on Thursday, the following three-day weekend is a great opportunity to grab some friends and drive somewhere exciting. 

November is a lovely time to reconnect with nature as the seasons change. Scenic drives are epic and completely different in the cooler half of fall.

If the great outdoors are not your vibe, driving to a new city and spending the weekend there could be a nice refresh amid a busy semester. The Midwest is full of exciting places to explore that are nearby, like Detroit, Michigan, Cincinnati, Ohio, Cleveland, Ohio, Madison, Wisconsin, or Door County, Wisconsin. 

RECONNECT WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY

The school year can be time consuming and pull us away from those who matter. 

You can use Thanksgiving break to take some time to hang out with an old friend or family member you have not seen in a while. Relationships are important and make life full — taking a risk and reaching out to people is  good for the brain and can open your world to cool opportunities. 

This might be a good time to ask a family member for advice about relationships, big choices, or school related stress. These conversations may sound scary but could bring you closer and give you some potentially good perspective. 

SPA

Again, school can be a busy time, and we can tend to not prioritize details of cosmetics and self-care. Maybe this Thanksgiving break you’ll try that new diffuser technique, if you have curly hair like me. Or maybe you’ll learn how to use beard products if you’ve got one. 

 I’ve been putting off dying my hair, and having a few days off sounds like the perfect chance to make sure I get it right. If you’re up for it, plan  a day of relaxation filled with comforting activities and a calming atmosphere.

VOLUNTEER

Volunteering is a great way to give back to your community. It can help you understand how you work in certain environments and help you feel more connected to a cause, location or value. 

Some volunteering options are checking out a local food bank, clinics, animal shelters, cultural centers and community centers. Some local volunteering can be done at the Children’s Home and Aid Society, Adventure Works, Tails Humane Society, The Salvation Army or Habitat for Humanity. 

If you are particularly passionate about a cause, I encourage you to find a center related to it in your area and seek opportunities there. 

Taking this kind of initiative is not only beneficial to a community but can help you with personal and career development.

CATCH UP!

I have a feeling many of us will be swamped with homework over the break – the sad reality of being a college student. At least a few days off can give us some time to play the catch up game. 

Thanksgiving break is also a good time to apply for summer internships and opportunities. Just don’t sweat it too hard and make sure to actually take a real break as well. 

Which way to spend Thanksgiving break sounds best to you? 

Results of last week’s poll: Which periodic element best represents your personality?

Hydrogen – 44%

Carbon – 22%

Oxygen – 0%

Iron – 11%

Sodium – 11%

Other – 11%