Q: Winter break is approaching, and I have this problem every year: It's too short to get a real job, and it's too long to just sit around without any plans. I'm also not looking to spend a lot of money. Any ideas?
A: I have major complaints when it comes to our winter break, which this year is actually three days less than last year's. We had one weekend and zero weekdays to prepare for finals, and then we have a zillion days to sit around and do nothing. Not only that, but this ridiculously long winter break also has implications for the spring semester. We don't get to go home for the summer until all of our friends have already exhausted all of the fun things to do in our hometowns (which, in my case, involves the Taco Bell drive-thru exclusively). And after everyone has returned to school after a handful of fun, relaxing winter weeks, I'm left with the thrill of doing my own laundry whenever I please without having to scrounge for quarters. For me, that's really all winter break has to offer.
All ranting aside, though, I'm sure if you get creative you can come up with something to help pass the time. You can try picking up quilting or paint a mural in your basement or something. If you're not too lazy (I definitely am), call around to some gyms and inquire about trial memberships. If winter break yields nothing else, at least you'll come back to school more studly than before.
I know the six or so weeks aren't substantial enough to get a real job, but there are plenty of sketchy fake jobs that could put some extra money in your pocket. This might not be news to anyone, but at the bottom of Craigslist, they have a section called "gigs." You can get paid to do pretty much anything, from organizing someone's closet to selling pictures of your feet. And I'd be wary of anything under the "adult" section, but you may be more adventurous than I.
But for those of us looking for other options, I am also a huge fan of babysitting. I don't think the average college kid even knows what an untapped goldmine babysitting is. Picture sitting around watching TV, eating Gushers and getting paid at least $10 an hour, tax-free. I'm serious: That's really all babysitting is - you just have to make sure it's late at night so the children will be sleeping. This isn't just for girls, although for some reason, parents feel a lot more comfortable leaving their kids in the capable hands of maternal college girls than reckless college guys.
Try calling some family friends with young children just to tell them you'll be around for a few weeks. You'd be surprised how desperate parents are for reliable help. If your family isn't the friends-making type, put up fliers on the bulletin boards at your local grocery stores (put up two at Whole Foods because the more expensive the food, the higher you'll probably get paid).
Once you've accumulated some money with various "gigs," you can actually do something fun. If you have other friends at home who either don't attend college or attend our college, then you can take any number of trips together. And as everyone in the world's favorite topic of conversation is gas prices, even if you don't drive a car at school, I'm sure you're aware that the price of gas is remarkably low these days. Try taking a road trip to visit some friends at school. Chances are their semesters will have just started, meaning there will certainly be parties to go to and alcohol to be had. If nothing else, it's always interesting to see your friends in their new elements and see what their school friends are like.
If nothing like this appeals to you, then you hate adventures and are better suited to watch the adventures of others on TV. I hear that show Lost is really long ... and considering that it starts during winter break, what else can you do?
Esti Frischling is a sophomore studio art major, so she literally has nothing better to do than answer your questions. She can be reached at estidbk@gmail.com.estidbk@gmail.com.
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