We know that the change in Clark University’s academic calendar for the 2020-’21 school year is leaving a wide gap between the Fall and Spring semesters. With the help of graduate student Sonia Vo, MSF ‘21, we’ve compiled these tips about on and off campus activities for students who will be staying local during winter break.
We care about you! It is important to the faculty and staff of Clark University that you stay healthy and well during this time. Please take advantage of the many recommendations and activities on this list.
Take Care of Yourself
One of the best recommendations we can give to take care of yourself during this break is to set up and maintain a relaxed schedule, but still keep a schedule. Go to sleep and wake up at similar times. Eat meals regularly. Get out of the house and be active in some way every day. Have a small to do list each day of things you want to do to help guide your day.
Clark Wellness Resources
Clark Wellness Education is excited to offer a Personal Growth Book Club over intersession. There are two book clubs for two different books which will be provided for free in pdf format. These selections have been chosen because we think we could all use a little more coziness and well-being!
The books are:
- The Little Book of Hygge: Danish Secrets of Happy Living by Meik Wiking
- Embrace Hygge (pronounced hoo-ga) and become happier with this definitive guide to the Danish philosophy of comfort, togetherness, and well-being.
- The Body is Not an Apology by Sonya Renee Taylor
- World-renowned activist and poet Sonya Renee Taylor invites us to reconnect with the radical origins of our minds and bodies and celebrate our collective, enduring strength.
The director of wellness education, Erica Beachy, and Wellness Ambassador, Anna Kathryn Hodges, will be co-facilitating these groups. The book clubs will meet weekly over Zoom for 6 weeks starting the week of January 4th and run through the end of the week of February 8th. The exact date and time of our Zoom meetings will depend on the schedules of those in each group. If you are interested in joining one or both of these clubs or have any questions, feel free to email ebeachy@clarku.edu.
Photo courtesy of Chelsea Ouellet
Get into the Holiday Season
Whether or not you celebrate a holiday in December, it can still be fun to check out holiday decorations and festivities of all kinds!
- Take a walk around your neighborhood to check out all of the holiday house decorations. Or take a drive/walk to check to check out some houses in Worcester that really go ALL out.
Or take a long drive to visit displays throughout the state like: - Watch some of these classic American holiday movie favorites.
- Organize a gingerbread house decorating contest with your friends. We highly recommend these premade gingerbread house kits.
Get Outside
Fresh air and a fresh perspective are always good things.
- Check out the trails that are part of the Greater Worcester Land Trust.
- Hiking not your thing? Go on a mural tour of Worcester’s amazing murals from Pow! Wow! Worcester. Here’s a map.
- Try a new winter activity like skiing, snowboarding, or snowtubing (no skill needed!) at Ski Ward or Mount Wachusett.
- Contact Allie Shilling, ashilling@clarku.edu of the Clark Student Council for possible free transportation through Lyft!
Pick up a New Hobby
Now is the time to take a break from studying and learn something just for you. Try out some new recipes, get better at taking pictures with your iPhone, learn the basics of a new language, or give yoga or meditation a shot. There are countless free tutorials online for anything you want!
Connect with Friends and Family
We cannot stress enough the importance of staying connected with your family and friends.
- If you have been too busy, make a goal of setting up video calls over the break with 3-5 friends or family members you haven’t talked with lately.
- Meet up with local friends safely in person for a hike or walk together outside. Set weekly walking dates with friends to connect, get outside, and get some exercise.
- Or safely meet up with a friend at the Worcester Art Museum, which is free for Clark students (just get your ticket in advance!).
Give Yourself a Break from Screens
We are all in blue light overload. Take a break from computer, phone, and tv screens and sit down with a few books this break. Looking for a book recommendation? Check out the New York Times Notable 100 Books of 2020. Or if you are looking for some books that are a bit more lighthearted, there are these recommendations and this USA Today article.
Get a Taste of Winter
When it’s too cold to go out this winter, stay in and have a DIY “Hot Cocoa and Chill” night instead. What is better than a cup of creamy homemade chocolate on a chilly night? Give this hot chocolate recipe a try.
Photo by Davide Cantelli on Unsplash
Treat Yourself with Good Food
Food is not simply what people eat when they are hungry. Food is awesome, delicious, inventive, colorful, inspiring, and so much more. A mutual love of food can bring different people together and can make the saddest person feel a little better. You have worked hard this semester and hard work should be rewarded by good food! Want to try something new? Check out these restaurants:
Seafood: Hooks and Reels, Worcester, MA
Gourmet Burger: Fix Burger Bar, Worcester, MA
Vietnamese: Pho Sure, Worcester, MA
Italian: Via Italian Table, Worcester, MA
Chinese: Chengdu, Westboro, MA
BBQ: Fireflys BBQ, Marlboro, MA
Gelato: Dulce De Leche café, Framingham, MA
Download the Yelp app or visit Yelp to explore more restaurants. Don’t want to go out? Have your food delivered to your door by using these apps: DoorDash, Grubhub, Uber Eats, or Postmates.
Check out Other Departments on Campus
Check the ALCI Facebook and Instagram pages (@alci_clarku) for events and activities! And keep an eye out for a flyer in January with events.
