If you’ve been on campus these past couple of days or in the general tri-state area, you are experiencing what is probably the coldest winter New Yorkers have had in a long time. The bad news is that this means walking outside dressed like you’re preparing for a hike in the Arctic, yet still somehow being cold. The good news is that this also means Fordham students got the rare opportunity to have a snow day. And because this snow does not look like it’s melting anytime soon (even Puxsutawney Phil said we have six extra weeks of winter), I’m going to share some of my perfect snow day activities..

First up is going outside. As unappealing as that may sound, I think this is the perfect way to make the most out of the harsh weather. Those students who live on Fordham’s Rose Hill campus don’t have to worry about commuting on the roads and are provided with plenty of large spaces — Martyr’s Lawn and Edwards Parade — that are perfect for snowball fights, building snowmen or large mountains (as seen last weekend) and sledding.

In previous winters, I have spent my own snow days packing snow onto my friend’s skateboard ramp and sledding over it, which vaguely reminds me of the students who skied down Keating steps last weekend. When the snow first fell this winter, my friends and I went outside to Eddies to join in on the fun. We spent an hour or two making snow angels, making our own snow mountain and jumping into them. Once the cold started to get the better of us, we walked to Dunkin’ for hot chocolate — another snow-day must, in my opinion. 

However, if you are still against facing the weather head-on, there are plenty of other snow day activities that can be done indoors. Baking is my personal go-to. My roommates and I will take any excuse to make chocolate chip cookies and being snowed in is a pretty good one. When you’re done baking, you can pair your sweet treat with a good movie or start a new TV show. Last weekend, after our snow day, we watched “People We Meet On Vacation” on Netflix, which I strongly recommend if you have not seen it yet. 

My last recommendation is to take the time indoors to pick up an old hobby or cross some work off your to-do list. Reading a new book is always a good choice, but you can always pick up a coloring book or do a craft. I like to write when I have the time, whether that be journaling, creative writing or writing an article for The Ram. Taking the time to get ahead of your classes’ syllabi is advisable as well. Dedicating time to self-care and doing individual activities can be hard in everyday life, but being snowed in gives you the time to do things you have been pushing aside. 

While the snow may be a hindrance and certainly annoying to an extent, it allows us to take more time to enjoy the simple things. This past weekend, I felt the weather had encouraged me to make more of an effort to spend time with my friends and do different activities. Being college students gives us the space to enjoy the colder weather in a unique way. We get to be stuck inside together with our friends and still be kids playing in the snow if we want to. We are not yet rushing to work or shoveling driveways. We are in an in-between in which we are young enough to be childish but old enough to appreciate it. As a senior heading towards the end of my college experience, I am grateful that this winter has allowed me to spend a few more perfect snow days at Fordham.