As the semester draws to a close and finals loom ahead, dead week presents itself as a time for a last hurrah with friends. However, while some students may find things to do during the week, others have a bit more trouble.

“I don’t know what I do during Dead Week,” said Molly Lohr, sophomore in hotel, restaurant and institution management. “It’s usually whatever comes to mind.”

Darrick Coy, senior in forestry, said he enjoys cozying up with his girlfriend and watching movies.

For those without a significant other to snuggle up with and who need some ideas on how to enjoy the last real week of school, FYI is here to help. Here are five things to do during dead week.

1. High jump in the hallway

Adrienne Jacobson, freshman in general pre-veterinary medicine, said this game is a favorite on the Anders floor of Barton Residence Hall. All you need is two mattresses and some string. First stack the mattresses on top of each other. Then tape the string from one hallway wall to the other, making sure it’s at chest height. Next try running and jumping over the string and onto the mattresses. Remember the point of this activity is to produce laughter and fun, not broken bones, so do use caution.

2. Tear a phone book in half

Showcase your strength and baffle your friends by ripping a phone book in half. Here are a few different tricks to try according to an online article in Men’s Fitness magazine.

Break the Spine: Use this method on medium-size books (1,000 pages or less). First, hold the book parallel to the floor with the spine facing up. Next grab the spine overhand, keeping your thumbs on the same side as your fingers and squeeze hard. Rotate your wrists inward, and try making your pinkie fingers touch, until you break the spine. After the spine has been broken, use a tearing motion to rip the rest of the pages.

Fan it Out: Use this method on larger books that are not easy to tear from the spine. First hold the book vertically and use the same thumbless grip on the top of the book. Next use the strength in your pecs to squeeze both sides of the book together, so that the middle bows in a V-shape away from you – taut against the back cover. Use the same pressure to rotate your wrists away from you – as described in the first method – and this should break the front cover. After the cover and several pages are broken, you can tear the book. If you need a visual, be sure to check out the video on YouTube of a man tearing a phone book.

3. Play some disc golf

For those who don’t have the patience or desire for eighteen holes of real golf, try out disc golf. This game involves throwing a disc toward a target, usually a metal basket. The university offers a disc golf course off of 13th Street and Recreation Services provides Disc Golf Set rental for $1.50 per day for students and $2.00 per day for faculty and staff. These items can be rented through the Outdoor Recreation Program located in the lower level of State Gym.

4. Go to the park

Ames has several parks and trails to explore. Take a walk or bike on the Audubon Trail in Brookside Park. Or take a hike on a nature trail in Inis Grove Park off of Duff Avenue.

Make it a lunch date with friends or a significant other and have a picnic. No matter where you decide to go, be sure to get some fresh air before hitting the books.

5. Get a massage

Gear up for finals week by winding down with a relaxing massage. Ames has several massage parlors and salons offering different massage options. Finesse Spa Salon offers half-hour massages for $37 and full-hour massages for $50. If that’s too expensive, try The Salon Professional Academy and be treated to a full massage for $25 or a half-hour massage for $15.