As the spring semester rolls in, students are reading syllabi and waiting for spring weather, and it can be hard to find new things to do. The fall semester can feel busy and filled with football games and fun, but the start of spring semester can be a long, cold time for students. Here are some fun, local winter activities that are comforting, cozy and cheap for students to enjoy.
Warm up with friends at a fun slumber party
During the icy months, it can be hard to keep warm and busy. Having a fun night in with friends, watching movies and drinking hot chocolate are certainly easy ways to do so. For those in dorms, gathering together in a common area or study to watch a movie, play games or do crafts can be a fun and easy way to spend a cozy night in. For those off campus, getting favorite foods, watching reality tv shows, baking and trying new board or card games can be fun ways to start or end a weekend with friends.
Ice skating
Ice skating is a staple of the winter time, and while it may not be the Rockefeller Center Ice Skating Rink, Flight Adventure Park in Irmo, S.C. has a year round ice skating rink with cheap access. For those who may not be as skilled or talented on the ice, there are classes available for you to grow your confidence. The park is $10 per person on weekdays and $13 on the weekends.
Start a new hobby or craft
The start of the new semester brings around students' favorite time: syllabi week and a slow start to classes. During these uneventful school days, it is very easy to fall into doom scrolling and avoiding the learning spirit. Picking up a new hobby like knitting, coloring, painting, crocheting or puzzling can challenge the mind and keep your hands busy. While some crafts are easier to pick up, such as coloring or puzzle-solving, some hobbies such as painting and sculpting are more fun to do at places like the Mad Platter, a local pottery and painting spot. Visiting is a fun way to spend an afternoon bringing out your creative side on plates, bowls and mugs.
Immerse yourself in culture at libraries and museums
Wandering around libraries and museums is a great way to avoid the cold weather. McKissick Museum, home of university history artifacts and learned historians, is a must-see for all Gamecocks looking to get into the school spirit. While many students are familiar with the Thomas Cooper Library, especially during exam season, there are other Columbia libraries where you can spend your days away from the cold, like the South Caroliniana library on campus.
Try new pastries and warm drinks
Broaden your palate with new desserts and pastries from local bakeries, while warming up with a seasonal beverage. Cool Beans, Drip Coffee and Curiosity Coffee Bar are cozy places to sit with a warm cup of coffee or hot chocolate and a tasty dessert. These local spots have unique beverages to warm you up and keep your taste buds excited. Duck Donuts, a unique dessert store, also allows you to add your own base and toppings to their signature cake donuts to enjoy your own sweet creation.
Explore new restaurants
For the foodies looking to find more Columbia eateries to tap into, Columbia’s Restaurant Week, Jan. 9 to 19, is an annual event that showcases the most popular, newest restaurants and their new menu items. In order to get out of the cold and expand your taste palates, Restaurant week offers unique deals and opportunities to explore Columbia’s food scene. Restaurants being showcased are listed on their website, and include 929 Kitchen & Bar, Publico Kitchen & Tap, Village Idiot Pizza and The Grand.
For these first few weeks of the spring semester, it can feel slow and students can struggle to find new things to do. Trying something on this list can help to bring a bit of variety as we jump into the school year, especially before assignments and exams pick back up.