Navigating quiet days as a student (and actually enjoying them)
As a second year forensic student, after working and studying all week for exams and assignments you realize that when you finally have a day off, you find it hard to keep yourself from diving into complete boredom.
That first full day you have time just for yourself, you might find you have no idea what to do with it.
Here is a little snippet of what I do on my days off when away from it all.
Starting off the day anew
I set my alarm every week for a brisk rise and shine of 6:30am knowing full well that I will snooze it at least 12 times before I actually get out of bed. An hour of doomscrolling TikTok later, I clamber out of my sheets and wash and dress for the day ahead.
My breakfast of wholegrain toast lathered in butter and a good cup of tea, keeps my stomach full enough to ignore the tempting calls to jump back into bed and fall back into a blissful slumber.
I love when I have time to myself, however at times I struggle with what to do with it. As a true-to-self “social butterfly”, it’s hard to do anything with my uni friends being in on different days of the week to me, continuing their dissertations. So I find opportunities to fill my time and enjoy all the candescent features this Worcester has to offer.
Enjoying the fresh air
I like to wander around the area near my shared house. It’s amazing what you find when you don’t have a set direction in mind. The secret paths connecting the cosy semi-detached properties adjacent to the main road. The local squirrels scurrying under the swaying swings in the nearby park; foraging food to bury before winter.
Headphones in hand make for an excellent pair of earmuffs with these colder temperatures, as well as letting me relax listening to Lana Del Ray and Taemin. There is something about the composed melodies of each song that allows my mind to drift and leave me feeling at peace. Coming from a busy city, it was hard for me to find green spaces to walk and clear my head. But here, they are in abundance. Every place I visit is new and charming; I am truly never left bored.
Time to cozy up and watch some telly
With my wandering complete and steps counted, I switch into my loungewear and warm myself up with a bowl of soup. The weekly phone call with my nan and dad always seems to cheer me up when I feel homesick; never failing to leave me with a smile on my face.
To end my self-care day, I familiarise myself with the notes I’ve made throughout the week, whilst rewatching one of my comfort shows. Usually Grey’s Anatomy or Bones.
It's days like this I aim to sleep early so I’m awake nice and refreshed for the next morning, or I'll turn into a complete night owl and enjoy a good old movie marathon.
Your day never has to be filled with plans and activities to escape boredom. It can be as simple as you like and sometimes, I think we all need a bit of simple.