Winter Term Checklist

With Winter Term nearly half-way through, and so many evenings left to enjoy and mornings to power through before heading to the slopes and warm fire-side beverages that come with another all-too-early nightfall, there is a lot left to do before the chaos of spring semester wakes us up from our late breakfasts and three-hour dinner comas.

Initially, I set out to compile a list of Winter Term ‘do’s and ‘don’t’s. I had two don’ts: complain about the weather or schoolwork — it cannot be that much of a surprise each morning that we live and study at a challenging school in rural Vermont. As I began the list, I found more and more do’s mingling under one column and not a single don’t popped into my head.

We conceptualize Winter Term as a sort of fantasy block of space framed by two semesters of chaos and stress; it is a fantastic world of freedom and fun, a single month we talk about and wait for with eagerness that rivals even that of summer vacation. J-Term is a time of few rules, few responsibilities, and too many reasons to decide to do instead of settling for a do not. Strap on a snowshoe, bundle up your sleeping bag, get hungry, get creative, get silly, get ready. We are two weeks in. We don’t have much time left.

Sit for a full Proctor meal. Better yet, sit for all three full-length meals. Spread them out and arrange them with friends you would enjoy catching up with over tea or soup. Invite your first-year roommate, your ex-lab partner, or that friendly face you always chat with in the gym.

Read a book for FUN. No tests, no quizzes, no discussion groups. Unless, of course, you want to bring it up over your Proctor lunch date.

Take a road trip. Route 7 has some spectacular views. Decide to drive through Burlington instead of stopping off at Church Street or weave your way down to New York City or Boston. Just grab some friends, blankets and mix CDs, and hit up some wacky locations.

Learn how to ski, snowboard, snowshoe or something else Vermont-y. The next time you are in good company with some snowshoes may be distant.

Camp out. If not on Battell Beach, ask your Commons if you can use a fireplace and roast s’mores and enjoy some hot chocolate or coffee.

Go to a concert or school-sponsored event you would normally only consider as you read the tri-folds in the dining hall. A cappella. Orchestra. Improv. Drama. You might find out that getting away to a play in the Zoo or the beautiful concert hall in the CFA is just the vacation and treat you need.

Discover a new place. A great new study spot? Hook-up spot? Picnic spot? The possibilities are endless!

Go on a walk. Not for exercise, not to Steve’s, not to get to class. Just go.

Throw an unconventional party. How about a sleepover? Bring blankets,

movies, popcorn, nail polish, board games. Relive your pre-pubescent years with more fun during a few rounds of Truth or Dare.

Do something you have always been afraid to do. This could harken back to the winter sport, or it could mean asking someone on a real date (not to the Grille) or signing up for a dance workshop.

Get up early to see a sunrise.

Set a new personal best. Whether you decide to test your personal record, how many push-ups you can do, or how many crosswords you can finish in The Campus, there is plenty of time!

Invent something. Even if it is just a new drinking game. Beirut and beer die can get a bit old; use your experience and creativity to spice things up on a cold Tuesday night.

National Maple Syrup Day comes but once a year, so why wait for the free cotton candy from the back of a trailer? All you need to make some maple candy is some of Vermont’s finest: snow and syrup!

Embarrass yourself having fun. Karaoke, anyone?

Go to office hours just to hang out and chat with your favorite professor.

Sleep without setting an alarm.

Go to Steve’s. Walk instead of drive, and don’t wake up for it — make it the last stop after a good night out.

Pick a random book out from a shelf in the library and read it.

Hear a band play: Pub night, concerts in Burlington or even at 51 Main — or if you are really trying to cut costs, maybe just listening in to a Rock Band Concert at 2 am ...

Do something creative. Maybe you have always wanted to arrange a song. Or maybe you want to try out painting, make an impressive snowman or practice your ice-sculpting for Winter Carnival.

Be spontaneous.