Make This Winter Break Yours!

After days of cramming up for final projects and the memorable commencement, MCAD students and alumni finally started their Winter Break in December.

MCAD Winter Break lasts for 45 days—a welcome hiatus after an extra stressful school year—which gives students plenty of time to rest and recharge both mentally and physically. Out of curiosity, I reached out to MCAD students to find out how they plan to spend their six-week break. Make sure to read all the way through to catch some handy tips on how to survive winter, a recommendation list of shows MCADians are planning to watch, and a Spotify playlist to jam to throughout the break!

This year has been wild and I’m so proud everyone powered through the semester with beautiful artwork. After all our hard work, my classmates and I definitely deserve this time to relax and reset. Caroline Jablonowski says they took 18 credits this past semester, and even though they enjoy all their classes, they think it was “Very overwhelming and I would never do that again— at least not during a pandemic!”

Winter break is the perfect time for students to heal and focus on themself. Carly Poulsom, a drawing and painting major shares that she’s looking forward to winter break because “This semester has been the hardest for me so far and I'm looking forward to try doing some much-needed self-care.”

Although many students have chosen to study remotely this semester due to the global pandemic roaming the world, there are still plenty of people living on or close to campus.. Like many MCAD students, Isabelle Margan, who lives within walking distance from campus, shares that she will venture back home to Wisconsin to spend time with her family and friends during this much-needed break.

But what about students staying in Minnesota? Well, they are in for a treat—Minnesota winter is breathtaking! With the snow, the decorations, and the holiday events, winters in Minnesota are picturesque. But along with winter’s beauty comes the freezing weather. I have never spent my winter break in Minnesota, but from being on campus last year during late November and late January, I can confirm that it gets cold very quickly and even unexpectedly!

If you're staying in Minnesota for the first time this winter or simply looking for a few tips to keep yourself warm, MCADians are sharing their invaluable winter survival tips. Be sure to check out the full list at the end of this feature, but to sum up all you need are these magic items: thick socks, winter boots, hats, scarves, blankets, and lots of hot chocolate. Also, layers upon layers will keep you warm!

A large number of students shared that they would be decorating their place with winter decorations and/or celebrating Christmas. “I celebrate a weird mix of Christmas and Yule! I was raised Catholics so I have a lot of winter traditions related to Christmas, but I’m Pagan so it’s morphed into Yule and some Italian Christmas Traditions,” is how Caroline describes their out-of-the-box holiday celebration. Aside from that awesome celebration they also said “It’s a tradition in my very Italian family (mom’s side) to make a ridiculous amount of desserts every year, so I’m attempting to continue the tradition and offer to my friends and neighbors! Whoever is reading this, email me if you want some also!”

Animation student Ivan Heft shares they look forward to the break because it will be a great chance to decompress and relax. During break, they plan to catch up on some much-needed sleep, clean the dorm, binge some movies and shows, and work on clothing alterations. Aside from playing games, hanging out with friends and family, catching up some sleep, and eating all the holiday leftovers, students would have time to also draw the things they like, instead of stressing to get it done for homework. Many students would also be working during the break as well to get some extra dough!

To my fellow MCADians: enjoy your winter break, take lots of rest, and spend time doing what you love before school is back in session. Remember to always follow the CDC's guidelines and practice social distance. I wish everyone a happy new year and take care!

Playlist

Tips on Winter Survival

“Layers! Thick socks!” — Elyse Rennhack

“It’s super fun to stay inside when it snows and just drink hot chocolate and watch Christmas movies, but if you are itching to go outside, there are so many great sledding and skiing hills nearby!” — Carly Poulsom

“It might be obvious but thick socks! That helped me a lot last year. Also, my denim jacket has a wool lining inside and it was so warm, I only needed to wear a sweatshirt underneath. Highly recommended.” — Aiden Conner

“I’m from California so I really don’t know anything about the Minnesota winter. I do remember that last year I spent so much of my time indoors and working on a project that I barely even went outside. I did get really excited when it first snowed.” — Izabella Arnquist

“Snow boots because snow is slippery, and layers on layers on layers!” — Katelynn Van Dusseldorp

“From growing up in Alaska all I can say is get a good pair of boots and gloves and you'll do just fine!” — Sally

“Have good gear!! Hats, gloves, SCARVES, vests!! Good socks! Go to goodwill/secondhand and get some for cheaper too.” — Olivia Lee Reinhardt

“I love the snow. I think it's so pretty, even though other people get tired of it. If you have to walk on ice, take short, tiny steps, and step straight down like you're marching.” — Hazel Bidwell

“BLANKETS AND FUZZY SOCKS!!! I moved here after living in Georgia for 9 years. My heart went out for the whole 3 days of the polar vortex, which happened to be my first winter here. Those really soft (probably made from plastics though) plush blankets from CVS or Target that come in every color are truly a godsend!” — Caroline Jablonowski

“Lots and lots of cozy blankets!” — Isabelle Margan

“Lots of hot chocolate, cooked meals and baked goods to make the house smell nice, scented candles, a well-heated blanket, and long hot showers where you just dissociate for 30 minutes.” — Vivian Steckline

“Always check the windchill before you leave the house.” — Zoe Dirks

“Layers!!! Always wear multiple layers, it's better to be too warm than too cold. You can always take off a layer if you get too warm, but you'll regret not having something to add to keep you warm if you're too cold.” — Ivan Heft

What MCADians are Watching

• Hannibal
• Queen's Gambit
• Mindhunter
• Chernobyl
• The Crown
• Love Actually
• Spirited Away (*ANY* Studio Ghibli films)
• Kim's Convenience
• Avatar: The Last Airbender
• The Legend of Korra
• It's Okay to Not be Okay
• Love, Death & Robots
• Northern Exposure
• Adventure Time
• Black Mirror: Bandersnatch
• Umbrella Academy
• Pokémon
• Persona
• Haikyuu
• What We do in the Shadows
• The Circle (the French version)
• The Great British Baking Show
• My Hero Academia
• Good Omens
• One-Punch Man
• Monty Python
• Always Sunny in Philadelphia