Right now, you are likely finding yourself very busy with studying for finals, finishing up major projects and not getting enough sleep while doing so. However, one idea that may not have crossed your minds along with all the terms and definitions is the fact that when the semester is done, you will have a lot more free time than you have had in quite some time. With the end quickly approaching, it may be time to start considering how you will occupy this time.

One great way to do this is with sports. Whether it’s playing them yourselves, watching them or playing video games, there are lots of ways to incorporate sports into your free time.

Watching the big game

The first, and possibly the easiest, way to incorporate sports into free time is by watching them on TV. This time of year is a great time for watching sports.

The NFL is on the final stretch of the regular season, and lots of teams are fighting to have a chance at the playoffs and others are getting eliminated every week.

On the ice, the NHL season is in full swing, and there are games every week that feature teams for both the U.S. and Canada.

The NBA is also holding some action on the basketball court. Games are aired almost every day of the week, so there are plenty of chances to sit and watch a game.

For the adventurous sports fans, there are also plenty of soccer games happening across the pond in England’s Premier League. However, you’ll have to get up bright and early to catch a glimpse as the games are played during British daylight hours.

To wrap it all up, it is NCAA bowl season for the big boys. But for the little brothers here in the FCS, it means real playoffs.

Video games

Another approach to getting sports into your life is through video games. Since most gaming platforms can run sports titles, most people can gain easy access to these games with a quick purchase.

In “Madden” you’re given a chance to call the plays and take control of your favorite NFL teams and players. With millions of players, you can also play online or with other friends through plenty of different game modes.

Similarly, both “NBA Live” and the “NBA 2K” series offer a similar sentiment for the NBA, and the clearly named “NHL” series lets you play on the ice for NHL teams.

“FIFA” is the series for those interested in soccer of any nation. With access to most national teams and leagues from around the world, including the United States’ MLS, United Kingdom’s Premier League and Spain’s La Liga, there are hundreds of teams and thousands of players to choose from.

There are also plenty of other games for outside of the major sports. “The Golf Club 2019” lets players take control of their favorite golfers, and “Rocket League” is an exciting take on soccer that uses cars instead of human players to score goals. You can even dust off an old console to play “Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater” or “Wii Sports.”

Actually playing sports

The last option for those ready to get off the couch and burn some calories is to play sports for real. There is of course a large list of sports that could be played, but the winter takes a lot of those away from the citizens of the north.

There are still options with plenty of winter sports included. Ice skating is popular, and many towns and cities have rinks, some outdoors.

Another option for everyone outside of North Dakota is downhill skiing and snowboarding. North Dakotans can still cross-country ski if they so desire. However, this option can be expensive if you don’t already own skis.

Curling is a more relaxed yet still fun way to go about your winter sports. Sledding is also a good way to bring out your inner kid. Snowshoeing is a fun way to take a winter hike.

Beyond typical winter sports, there are also tons of clear weather sports available. As we Midwesterners adapted, we have created plenty of facilities to put our favorite sports indoors. Basketball, tennis, swimming, pickleball, running, soccer, climbing and racquetball are just a few.

If you love sports and want to keep them in your lives, there are plenty of different ways to do so. You just have to find what works for you, and if none of this piques your interest, go and try some billiards. It’s actually quite a fascinating hobby.