Last week on Friday, Jan. 23, the university shut down due to dangerously cold temperatures, leaving students no choice but to get cozy and enjoy a rare moment of rest during the semester.
Students participate in a variety of activities on snow days, some even daring to brave the frigid temperatures that await them outside their dorm rooms.
Junior elementary education major Lydia Mervar is one student who does not fear the frightful weather outside.
“My friends and I like to go sledding on snow days,” said Mervar. “My favorite snow day activity is making baked goods while watching a movie.”
Indoor activities are a favorite amongst students who like to relax in the comfort of their warm houses and dorms, but outdoor activities can be enjoyed with enough layers.
Many students have always enjoyed outdoor snow day activities, even as kids. There is no shortage of days when school is canceled in Michigan due to inclement weather.
Sophomore English major Aubrie Patrick reminisced about her favorite memories on snow days when she was younger.
“Whenever we’d have snow days in school, my siblings would always pull each other around on sleds hooked up to our four-wheeler,” Patrick said. “One of my best snow day memories are when we’d have a year with lots of snow and my parents would plow it into a large hill and we’d make a snow fort or igloo to play in.”
Snow day activities that students reported doing as children are much less common favorites among students as adults. Many of them enjoy spending time indoors out of the cold.
“Now that I’m older, my favorite thing to do on snow days is snuggle up with my puppies and watch shows and drink lots of coffee and tea,” Patrick said.
Despite the cold weather, many students can still be spotted at coffee shops around Big Rapids, enjoying time with friends. Not much stops the students from enjoying each other’s company.
Students are not the only ones who enjoy when class is canceled. Big Rapids locals can recall many entertaining stories of students’ activities on their off days.
United Methodist clergy person from the Wesley House, Kim Bos, told a story about what she observed Ferris students doing on their snow day.
“In 2025, during ‘snowmageddon,’ school was cancelled for the following day at like 4 pm the day before, meaning we all had time to plan,” said Bos. “I went to the Meijer for a few things for our house, and while I was there waiting for a deli order, I watched six frat boys try to figure out how big of a fish they could afford to buy from the fish counter with their pooled cash and have it still fit on their grill.”
Ferris students have gotten very creative with their snow day festivities over the years, leaving locals very entertained by their shenanigans.
“This is what they were doing with their snow day—trying to grill a giant fish,” Bos said. “I wish I could remember which frat it was because I would love to know how that turned out.”
From enjoying the crisp, cold air of the outdoors by speeding down a hill on a sled to grilling gigantic fish with friends, Ferris students have found many ways to enjoy a little downtime.
Their activities may vary greatly, but students certainly don’t miss an opportunity to spend time with their closest friends and make memories they can enjoy for the rest of their lives.