One of the most common things that you will find students doing on snow days is sleeping in. You don’t have to be in class at eight in the morning—go back to bed! Catch up on some sleep, and you’ll feel a lot better in the coming days. These are good days to take naps as well—you won’t have to worry about not getting up for your afternoon class, so you can take an hour or two out of your day and get some rest.

If your classes were cancelled because of snow, you probably shouldn’t be driving anywhere (at least until later in the afternoon). Fortunately, there are several activities that you can do on-campus or near your off-campus housing. Going sledding is a great way to spend an afternoon, especially if you got dumped on with a foot or two of snow. If you have a skating rink nearby, you can lace up some skates and get out there as well (as long as the snow has been cleared off). Snowball fights will make you feel like you’re in elementary school again and are great for getting exercise (and getting back at some of your friends for the money they took from you playing cards). Once you’ve spent some time outside and taken a hot shower, head for the local coffee shop. It will probably be pretty busy, but a hot cup of coffee or hot chocolate rarely tastes better than when the entire world is covered in snow.

Snow days are also good occasions for spending the entire day inside under a blanket, where it’s warm and dry. Spending an afternoon playing board games is a fun way to recoup some energy and hang out with your friends. Sitting on the couch and reading a book (not a textbook—an actual outside-of-class book) is a good way to relax as well.

As much as you don’t want to, you should probably take advantage of snow days to get a little bit of studying done. It’s easy to get behind on your reading or studies, and having a full day off of class can be just what you need to get caught up again. If you’re very motivated, you could even use the day to get a little ahead in some of your classes so that you have some slack when finals come around.

Whatever you decide to do on snow days, whether it’s sleeping, sledding, or studying, make sure that you have fun! Snow days don’t come around all that often, so take advantage of them while you can.

Scrabble

Scrabble is one of the best college board games because it’s very easy to play, can be played by up to four players, and is a lot of fun. Games can quickly get ridiculous if your friends start trying to sneak in made-up words without you noticing, and you’ll be surprised at how many words you’ll plan on the board that you would never say in public! You can learn more about Scrabble by visiting the official website.

SceneIt? Squabble

Most people have played some version of SceneIt? and are familiar with its format, which includes both a board and a game DVD. The Squabble version pits guys against girls and aims to see who has a better knowledge of movies, TV shows, and pop culture. Having guys answer girls’ questions and vice versa can be a source of never-ending entertainment. You may be surprised how many chick flicks one of your guy friends has seen, or how much your girlfriend knows about sports. Check out the SceneIt? Squabble site for more information, then get a bunch of friends, form guys’ and girls’ teams, and prove once and for all who’s smarter!

Scattergories

Another word game, Scattergories requires you to come up with words related to specific topics that start with a specified letter. You’ll have to be creative, though, because if you come up with the same words as someone else, neither of you get points for it! This game can be extremely entertaining late at night (or when slightly intoxicated), as the words get more and more comical. Visit Scattergories for additional information.

Wise and Otherwise

This game is less well-known than the above games, but nonetheless is one of the very best college board games out there. Similar to Balderdash, one player will read the beginning of an ancient saying, such as “The ocean cannot be emptied . . .”, and the other players will write how they think the saying should end. All of the answers are collected and read aloud with the correct saying—players then guess which is the correct answer. It’s easy to get the hang of it after a couple rounds, and it’s extremely fun! Head out to your local game store to check it out. (note: the correct answer to the above example is “with seven spoons.” Seriously. People actually said that).

There are hundreds of other board games that are great fun, and this guide hasn’t even mentioned card games. You should have no problem finding games to play with your friends—trying a new game every month can be a way for you to figure out for yourself which are the best college board games!

Where did Bill Clinton go to college?  Yale University.

Where did Oprah Winfrey go to college? Tennessee State University

Where did President Ronald Reagan go to college? Eureka College

What college did Theodore Roosevelt graduate from? Harvard University

Where did Steven Spielberg go to college? California State University Long Beach

Where did Brad Pitt go to college? University of Missouri

What college did Dennis Rodman attend? Southeastern Oklahoma State University

What college did Bill Belichick go to? Wesleyan University

The first way to make dating more financially feasible is to go on dates on weeknights instead of weekends. Activities are cheaper, and many restaurants and bars have weeknight specials. Because your date is (most likely) also a college student, they’ll understand and appreciate your reasoning for going out during the week. There are many websites that can assist you in your search for affordable weeknight dating: Minneapolis’s Thrifty Hipster is a good example. Look around your city and you’re bound to find a number of places that offer deals on weeknights.

Living in a college town has benefits for college daters: because the local businesses know that a lot of their business will come from students, you can often get special deals with your student ID. By showing your ID at your local pool hall or bowling alley, you may be able to get reduced prices. Many college towns also have second-run movie theatres that sell tickets for three or four dollars, and many bars have student nights, when cover charges are waived or drinks are cheaper. Your school’s website may have information on deals like these; if not, you can usually find them in local newspapers.

One of the more fun ways to be financially efficient when dating is to get creative. There are plenty of activities that aren’t very expensive that you can do with your date. Many cities have free concerts during the summer; heading down to a park to see one of these followed by stopping by a local bar is a lot cheaper than going out to dinner and then going to a concert. Winter can be a great time to get outside with your date; you can usually go ice skating for under $10, and sledding is free. Even if you have to go buy a sled, you’ll still probably spend less than $5. These provide great alternatives to things like skiing, which can be quite expensive. Local events websites are great sources for finding free and cheap dates.

When all else fails, look to the internet. Go to sites like Cheap Dating Ideas or just Google “cheap dates” and the name of your city or university. It’s more than likely that you’ll find a plethora of ideas. You’re certainly not the first person that’s dating on a student’s budget; take advantage of the wealth of information that others share on this topic. And if you come across a good free or cheap dating opportunity, post it online and share it with others!

Depending on the size of your campus, you may have any number of free activities happening on any given night. Many schools have on-campus hangouts like cafes or small restaurants that offer free arcade games, pool tables, or dart boards, just like those you’d find at a bar or pool hall. Having weekly or monthly competitions between your friends can provide many hours of entertainment . . . and a little extra cash if you’re really good and your friends are into betting! These hangouts also often host local musicians; students from your university or others from the surrounding community will come to sing or play an instrument. You can actually hear a surprisingly large amount of good music in places like these. Campuses that have larger venues will also host regional or national bands with free or very cheap admission. Take advantage of these opportunities and avoid shelling out $50 for a concert ticket.

Movies and films are often shown on campuses, as there is little cost to the university and students really enjoy not having to pay to go out to see movies. Whether in an on-campus movie theatre or in a classroom on a projection screen, you can see a lot of movies that you wouldn’t have thought to rent or may not even have heard of; you can also see some major releases before they come out on DVD. Microwave a bag of popcorn, bring a can of soda, and enjoy a free movie!

Whether or not you’re a big sports fan, going to your team’s games can be a lot of fun. Even if you don’t enjoy watching the sport all that much, taking part in cheers, singing, jumping, and watching various antics performed by other students can be very entertaining. Try watching sports you’ve never watched before, like lacrosse, diving, field hockey, or ultimate. You may like it so much that you decide to play!

If you’re into playing sports more than watching, joining an intramural league is another good option. Basketball, flag football, soccer, tennis, wiffleball, racquetball, and broomball are all popular intramural sports. Try something new and get some friends together to form or join a team. You may find that you have a much more competitive personality than you realized!

Every school has different free activities on campus. Check the school website, student newspapers, and bulletin boards to see what’s going on and don’t be afraid to try new things—you’ll be glad you did.

Even though it takes some effort, you don’t have to go far to start meeting new people. Getting to know your neighbors in the dorm building that you live in is a great way to start making new friends. Many people make friends that they have for the rest of their lives right in their dorms. Most dorm floors will have social events, but you don’t have to wait for these. Just stop by some of your neighbors’ rooms and introduce yourself. Leave your door open to encourage others to stop by. You can even plan a floor party-put a sign up in the hallway inviting anyone on your floor to come over and bring a couple sodas or a bag of chips. Not only will you meet a bunch of people, but you’ll also help generate a sense of community on your floor, which will make your year a lot better.

Another place to meet people is in class. If you’re sitting next to someone that you don’t know, introduce yourself and strike up a conversation. You may find that you have a lot of things in common. If nothing else, you can try to scope out cute guys or the really smart girls that will make good study partners. A lot of professors use “ice breaking” activities during the first week of classes; instead of acting cool and avoiding these (sometimes very cheesy) activities, take advantage of the chance to talk to people that you may not have otherwise. If your professor doesn’t give you an opportunity like this, you’ll just have to make your own.

Because of the rise of social networking websites, you now have another option for meeting new people. While this shouldn’t be your primary method, you can use one of these sites to help you in your quest to make friends. Facebook is extremely popular with college students and is used by many people to organize parties and outings. You can meet a large number of people through your friends this way. It’s also very useful for finding people that have similar interests; you’ll be able to find people who listen to the same music, like the same movies, and spend their Friday nights doing the same things.

There are as many ways to meet people as there are people . . . you’ll come up with methods of your own soon enough. Just be confident and be yourself and you’ll have tons of friends in no time!

One of the most expensive purchases that you’ll have to make on a regular basis is your books for the semester. It’s not uncommon to spend several hundred dollars on your books; certain degrees often require up to $500 in books. Buying books can be a great opportunity to save some cash. By buying used books, you can often cut your costs in half. Most university bookstores buy books back at the end of the semester and re-sell them; sell your books back, then buy used books, and you’ll end up saving a lot over your four years. Amazon.com and Craigslist are also good places to find used books. Social networking sites like MySpace and Facebook can be used to set up book exchanges where you can give someone one of your old books in exchange for one of theirs.

Changing your food buying habits can be one of the best ways to save money in college. If you have roommates, buy groceries in bulk and split the bill—getting a membership at Costco or another discount bulk store can pay off very quickly if you split it between several people. Make your own food as often as possible—frozen pizza doesn’t count. If you spend a couple hours on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon preparing a large amount of food, you can put it in containers, freeze them, and microwave them for meals during the week. Things like stews, chilies, hot dishes, and stir-fries are great for this. If you buy ingredients and make food in bulk instead of going out to eat or buying pre-prepared foods, you’ll save a significant amount of money.

The cost of living can be very high on and near college campuses. Many universities require that students live on campus for their first year of classes, but after that, you can do whatever you’d like. When this becomes an option, it’s often worth looking into an apartment or a house. Houses tend to be cheaper, because you can split rent between more people; some houses are large enough for five to six people to live in. Even if you have to drive to campus to get to your classes, you may find that this is one of the more effective ways to save money on room and board. Remember to factor in things like utilities, gas money, and time spent in travel between your house and campus; these can have a major impact on whether or not it will be worth it to rent. If none of your friends dig the idea of moving into a house, you can use social networking sites (and local newspapers) to find other students looking for roommates.

When you’re writing your college admission essay, think about what you would like to read if you were on an admissions committee. If you’re reading hundreds of essays, wouldn’t you like to read something that’s interesting, even entertaining? These are the applications that will stand out. If a committee member remembers your application after reading hundreds of others, you’ll have a much greater chance of getting accepted. Keep your writing interesting with uncommon vocabulary, short stories, and strong statements. Just don’t go overboard.

Above all, admissions committees want to find out what you will bring to their university. They’d like to see which unique qualities you’ll bring to the student body and how you can create a positive college experience for both yourself and others. They don’t want to read about your academic achievements; they can see these on your transcripts and your standardized test scores. When writing your college admission essay, don’t embellish things or make up details. After reading thousands of admission essays, committee members will be able to see this right away. Write both personally and truthfully about what makes you unique as an individual. Tell the committee about your goals and why you chose their school over all of the others that you could have applied to, and they will return the favor by judging your essay and your application fairly.

One of the greatest mistakes that can be made by a student applying to college is not sufficiently proofreading and editing their essay. If your essay contains grammatical or spelling errors, you can count on the committee rejecting it fairly quickly, as it reflects very badly on your preparation and effort. Make sure to look over your essay several times before you submit it and have at least two other people look at it as well. Ask them if your essay flows well or if it is disjointed. If you’re very serious about the colleges that you’re applying to, you may want to use a service such as Essay Edge to ensure that your work is well-written, easily readable, and engaging. Resist the temptation to use a service that will write your essay for you; this is another tactic that committee members will see through, especially if an interview is part of your application process.

Although you can pick up an infection at any time, you’re much more likely to if you’re stressed. The weeks leading up to finals are some of the most stressful of the year, increasing your chances of contracting an illness. During these weeks, then, it’s very important to keep your stress in check. Make sure to get outside every day for a little while, to take breaks from studying at regular intervals, to spend time with your friends, and above all, not to cram. Staying up really late studying for a test coming up the next day not only stresses you out, but also makes you tired, doubly increasing your chances of illness.

Make sure to get enough sleep. Just as too much stress weakens your immune system, so does a lack of sleep. Try to get eight hours every night; if you can’t get eight, then get as many as you can, and catch up on the weekends. If you’re really tired, you won’t be able to properly function, severely limiting your both your ability to stay healthy during finals and the effectiveness of your studying.

Pay attention to your diet. Diet is always important, but when you’re doing everything that you can to keep from getting sick, you should pay special attention to it. Make sure that you’re getting enough B and C vitamins; have at least three servings of fruits and vegetables each day. Taking multivitamins or supplements such as Airborne or cod liver oil may be effective in preventing the contraction of a cold.

Many students are unable to stay healthy during finals; because of this, you may be exposed to many people who are fighting an infection or have already developed a cold. It’s important to minimize the risk that these people pose to you by limiting your exposure. Try to avoid being very close to others, especially if you know that they are or have recently been ill. Being in close quarters with a large number of other people should be avoided. Places like libraries and coffee shops, unless you can maintain enough space between you and the others studying there, can be dangerous.

If you think that you may have caught something, check your symptoms on sites like WebMD. If you have symptoms indicating a common cold, take DayQuil or Tylenol Cold and get as much rest as possible. If your symptoms indicate something more serious, see a medical professional immediately. Most campuses have nurses or nurse practitioners onsite to help students with issues such as this.

The first, and often least expensive, option is to make your own gifts. If you’re skilled in crafting, you can knit a large number of hats, scarves, or mittens in a reasonable amount of time, and all you’ll have to pay for is several colors of yarn. Personalized Christmas tree ornaments are another option; you can buy a big box of blank ornaments for less than $20. With colorful paint, some glitter, and a little bit of tinsel or holly, your blank ornament can be a one-of-a-kind gift for anyone on your list. You can find a list of creative gift ideas at eHow, including several that don’t require nearly as much skill as it takes to knit or paint.

Although it’s slightly cliché, giving framed pictures can be a great way to save money on Christmas gifts. Find a good picture of yourself (or your group of friends) and have it printed; you can print a lot of pictures for less than five bucks. Finding picture frames that are inexpensive can be slightly difficult, but IKEA is a good place to start looking. Plain wood and acrylic frames are usually pretty cheap. Picture holders, an alternative to frames, can be found for a couple dollars each; these make great desk decorations. You can also paint blank frames for a more personalized touch.

While the day after Thanksgiving is traditionally the biggest Christmas shopping day, you can adjust your schedule a bit and buy your gifts shortly after Christmas. A lot of stores try to clear out as much merchandise as they can immediately after Christmas, so you can find some great deals. Especially during an economic recession, this strategy can be good for your entire family or group of friends; by agreeing to exchange gifts closer to New Year’s than Christmas, everyone will save money. It also gives you an excuse to throw another party.

Buying Christmas gifts on a student’s budget doesn’t have to be difficult. You may just have to be a little more creative than usual. And if you’re really in dire financial straits and cant afford any of these options, you can trust that your family will sympathize and understand. Just spending time with them, as cheesy as it sounds, is one of the best gifts that you can give.