Most can agree that this winter has been extremely cold – making it feel as if the winter months have been dragging on forever – especially since Grand Valley State University’s first snow day was in November, even before Thanksgiving.

Winter, however, isn’t all ice, snow and staying inside attempting to stay warm. The people who find that the winter months are the most miserable of the year are normally the ones who hibernate inside and use wishful thinking for the snow to go away.

But, the saying “time flies when you’re having fun” is actually really accurate. Even though the groundhog predicted another six weeks of winter for this year, it’s a little bit less saddening if you think of it as another six weeks of having something fun to do.

Yes, most of us love the summer and the sun and not worrying about getting frostbite when we walk to class, but winter is a time to do things that can’t be done in the summer.

When you think about it, winter is the same thing as summer, just with snow instead of sand. You can go snow-skiing, tubing and build a snowman. Yes, it is cold and wet – and nobody really enjoys being cold – but that’s all the more reason to be outside.

Once you get cold, you can go inside and make yourself a hot cup of hot chocolate. While you can always make hot chocolate in the summer, we all know a nice, cold slushie or lemonade is much preferred on a hot day.

So, how do you keep busy in the winter without freezing? Well first, you need proper clothes. No, wearing just some jeans and boots is not going to cut it. Find a decent winter jacket and some nice, waterproof snow boots.

Second, you need to find a activity that you enjoy doing enough. Ice skating is a blast, and you can go with a group of friends, by yourself or with a boyfriend or girlfriend. Also, the good thing about ice skating is that it can be inside or outside, so you still get to stay warm (ish) if you’re inside.

Another thing you can do, or learn to do, is ski. It is a great group activity or can be fun to do with a significant other. It can be a little pricey, but it is a great way to enjoy and actually embrace the winter.

These are most certainly not the only activities that you can do in the winter. There are hundreds that are just as, if not more, exciting than the ones above. The hardest part is finding the motivation to get yourself out of your toasty room and out into the cold. If you find something you really enjoy doing and look forward to, I promise that the winter will be more fun and go by quicker.

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