Making the Most of Your 2024 Winter Break: A Guide for Purdue Students

Hey Boilermakers! As the fall semester wraps up and finals become a distant memory, it’s time to shift gears and make the most of your well-deserved winter break. Whether you’re heading home or sticking around West Lafayette, here are some awesome ways to recharge, have fun, and set yourself up for success in the spring semester.

Catch Some Z’s and Indulge in Home Cooking

First things first: catch up on that sleep debt you’ve been accumulating all semester. Those all-nighters and early morning classes have taken their toll, so don’t feel guilty about hitting the snooze button a few (dozen) times. A quick tip for catching up on sleep is to gradually adjust your sleep schedule rather than trying to make up for lost sleep all at once. It takes about three nights to make up for one insufficient night of sleep. Additionally, catching up on sleep over the weekend could potentially reduce the risk of heart disease by nearly 20%.

Festive Fun: Holiday Events in West Lafayette

If you’re sticking around campus or live nearby, West Lafayette has some exciting holiday events to check out. Here are a few must-see attractions to add to your winter break itinerary:

Riverside Skating Center at Tapawingo Park: This seasonal outdoor ice skating rink offers a delightful escape from late November through early March 15. The 120×70 foot oval rink provides ample space for skaters of all levels to glide and twirl under the open sky. With its convenient location and free parking, this charming rink promises a memorable experience amidst the natural beauty of Tapawingo Park.

Earn Some Extra Cash (and Experience)

With about a month off, winter break is the perfect time to pad your wallet. Here are some resources for finding seasonal work:

Customer Service and Retail:

• Rover: Rover connects pet parents with a nationwide network of pet sitters, day care providers, and dog walkers who’ll help care for your pet—at their place or yours.
• FlexJobs: Offers a curated list of remote seasonal jobs, including customer service roles.
• Snagajob: Specializes in hourly work and has a dedicated section for seasonal jobs.
• Indeed and LinkedIn: Use search terms like “remote seasonal customer service” or “work from home holiday retail.”

Freelancing and Content Creation:

• Fiverr and Upwork: Post your services or search for seasonal content creation jobs.
• Heepsy: Connect with brands looking for content creators for holiday campaigns.
• LinkedIn: Use the Easy Apply feature to quickly apply for content creation roles.

Online Tutoring:

• VIPKid and Chegg: Offer online tutoring jobs, which may increase during school breaks.
• TutorMe and Varsity Tutors: Provide platforms for tutors to connect with students needing extra help during holidays.

Give Back to the Community

‘Tis the season of giving, right? Volunteering is a great way to spread some holiday cheer and gain valuable experience. Look into local shelters, food banks, or community centers that could use an extra hand.

Stay Active (But Don’t Overdo It)

It’s easy to become one with your couch during break but try to keep moving. Hit up the VERVE gym if you’re in town or find fun ways to stay active at home. Here are some free workout resources:

YouTube Channels:

• PS Fit (formerly Popsugar Fitness): Offers a variety of workouts, including cardio, weight training, dance, barre, and HIIT.
• Heather Robertson: Specializes in HIIT workouts that require no equipment.
• Sydney Cummings Houdyshell: Offers a holistic approach to fitness with over 2,000 videos.

Explore Your Interests

Finally, use this time to dive into hobbies or interests you didn’t have time for during the semester. Winter break is your chance to do things just for fun, without the pressure of grades or deadlines. Remember, Boilermakers, winter break is your time to recharge and prepare for another awesome semester at Purdue. Whether you’re catching up on sleep, earning some cash, or trying something new, make the most of this time off. Before you know it, you’ll be back on campus, ready to tackle whatever challenges come your way.

Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram @vervewestlafayette for exciting giveaways and updates on events happening at the property. Stay connected and make the most of your VERVE experience! Boiler up!