By Allison Mudge

December, with its finals, holiday shopping and last-minute travel arrangements, is a busy month for college students.

While most Northeastern students are packing their bags and making plans about what to do and who to see while home during the winter break, some of their peers are making plans to remain in the city.

Those most likely to remain on campus or in the immediate area are on co-ops, international students or individuals who simply do not want to travel home, said Raina Goldstein, a Housing Services co-op.

“The way it works is if they’re upperclassmen and they’re living [on campus] next semester, they can automatically stay,” Goldstein said.

This is not the first year junior criminal justice major William Schwartz will stay in Boston during the break, though it is the first year he has lived off campus. He remains in the area mainly to work as a supervisor at the residential safety office, he said.

When he’s not working, Schwartz said, it won’t be difficult to keep himself occupied in Boston.

“I’m really easily entertained,” he said.

Many of his coworkers remain on campus over the break as well.

Swaminathan Subramanian, a freshman electrical engineering major, lives in Loftman Hall and will remain in the Boston area over the break. Subramanian, who is originally from India, also spent four years in Singapore before moving to Massachusetts.

“In [other] words, I have been away from home for four years now,” he said. “This is just the same experience in a different place.”

Subramanian said this is not the first time he has been away from friends and family during the holiday season. After four years, he said he is comfortable with the idea.

“I think I can handle it,” he said. “This year isn’t going to be any different.”

Over the break, Schwartz said his plans will consist of spending time with friends. He sees the downtime as an opportunity to catch up with those he might not have a chance to see during the semester.

“We all plan what free time we have together,” he said.

Asked about what there is to do, Schwartz said, “trips to each other’s apartments, Cambridge has a lot of stuff, a few trips to various stores, a lot of TV and computer time.”

Others, like Subramanian, have yet to make plans for what they will do over the break.

“I’m just going to wait it out and see how things turn out,” he said of keeping himself entertained over break. “I must admit I think I may have a hard time to find things to do.”

Schwartz, who was raised Jewish, will be working over Christmas weekend. This year Dec. 25 also marks the beginning of Hanukkah, the eight-day Jewish festival. However, it will not be an issue for Schwartz, who is no longer a practicing Jew.

“I’m one of the few people at work available for Christmas, so I work it when I can,” he said.

Schwartz said he does not find himself saddened by not seeing certain friends and family members over the holidays. He saw his sister over Thanksgiving.

“My dad and step-family live in Worcester and, since we don’t celebrate Christmas, they can visit whenever,” he said. “Plus