Winter in Portland usually shows up the same way every year: dark, wet, and cold. And honestly? I’m tired of letting that dictate how I spend my days. It’s way too easy to fall into a routine of going to class or work, coming straight home and calling it a day. Before we know it, we’re holed up in our rooms trying to stay warm, only to end up feeling bored, restless or isolated.
The good news: PSU offers so many ways to get out of that rut. Even better? Most of them are already included in your tuition. Yep. You’re paying for these things whether you use them or not. So why not take advantage of the resources and events around campus to shake up those long winter days?
Fifth Avenue Cinema on Hall Street is a classic for a reason. Students get free movies and free popcorn, what could be better than that? They screen a wide variety of films and offer multiple showtimes, making it easy to squeeze a movie night into your schedule, whether that’s a solo mission or a cozy hangout with friends.
If you’re looking for something more interactive, the Viking Game Room in the basement of SMSU is packed with options. There’s a bowling alley, pool tables and even an Xbox gaming room you can rent out.
Pool: $6 per hour
Bowling: $3 per game + $1 shoe rental
Xbox Gaming: $3.60 per hour
Not only is this a convenient location, it won’t break the bank like other indoor recreation spots in town. This is a great way to add some liveliness to your typical get-togethers with friends.
For a little extra magic, check out the Portland Winter Light Festival in the Park Blocks. This free annual event features light-based art installations across the city to brighten some of Portland’s darkest weeks. From February 6 to 14, you’ll find installations all over town — including right here at PSU. On the evenings of February 6, 7, 13 and 14, the windows of Smith Memorial Student Union and the Simon Benson House will transfix viewers with projected behind-the-scenes imagery from LAIKA Studios (yes, the creators of Coraline), and the trees in the South Park Blocks will glow with light-based art. At the center of it all, an illuminated tent will be the place to warm up with free hot cocoa and face painting. And over at 6th and Jackson, Graphic Design professor Stephen Lee's Creative Coding students will share some seriously innovative light projections, bringing an empty retail storefront to life.
And don’t forget about Campus Rec (which, again, you’re already paying for). Campus Rec offers Group X classes every day, ranging from yoga and breathwork to swimming, cardio and strength training. It’s a great way to move your body and be around other people, whether you join in person or tune in online through their YouTube channel whenever it fits your schedule.
Lastly, one of the underrated perks of going to school in Portland is the abundance of local coffee shops everywhere. Sometimes, the smallest change makes the biggest difference. Studying at a café instead of your desk can instantly make your day feel new. Spots like Wild Rose, Park Avenue Café, In Joy Coffee and Ovation all offer cozy environments perfect for getting work done with a warm drink in hand. And I don’t know about you, but there’s something about going to a coffee shop to do homework that already feels productive. My personal favorite is cozying up in a corner of Wild Rose with a Sweater Weather Latte, walking the fine line between people-watching and locking in on my work.
Winter doesn’t have to mean pressing pause on your life. There’s a lot happening around campus and the city. Sometimes all it takes is stepping outside of your routine to feel a little lighter.