The commuter’s guide to long days on campus

With the majority of us living off campus, large gaps in our timetable can often become daunting. The option of going home often involves a long bus journey whereas staying on campus probably means countless hours in the library. It doesn’t have to be this way. If you plan ahead and vary your days, staying on campus could even become enjoyable.

Of course, the library is always an option. It’s always open and it gives you a space to do some work. This can easily take up all the free hours in your timetable, especially if you are behind or have many assignments due. However, doing this for the majority of your days can make you feel extremely drained and even bored. So why not try something new?

Socialising and catching up with friends is bound to lift your mood and make your long day seem more doable

Coffee dates are a great way to spend some time with friends who also have some spare time in their day. With a variety of places on campus, such as Curiositea which has weekly specials, there is always a place to go. If this isn’t your scene, or you have more time on your hands, perhaps arranging to get lunch with a friend is a better option!

Many students, myself included, bring lunch from home most of the time, but why not treat yourself once in a while? Socialising and catching up with friends is bound to lift your mood and make your long day seem more doable.  This being said, it’s not always easy to arrange to meet friends during the day, especially if you do different subjects, therefore it is a good idea to find activities you could do alone too.

If the weather is good, it can be extremely relaxing to sit outside and simply meditate and reflect on the day you have had so far

We all know exercise is good for the body and the mind, so why not spend some of your free time by doing something that your body will thank you for later? Many people enjoy going to the gym on campus as it has a wide range of equipment and is very modern. However, the gym isn’t for everyone. Going for a walk can be just as rewarding, especially if the weather is nice!

Not only that, it can give you a chance to listen to all the podcasts you’ve been meaning to listen to but never found the time for. Dedicating time to yourself is very important for maintaining a balance in life, however what a lot of us don’t realise is that this doesn’t have to always involve binging a new TV series late at night. If the weather is good, it can be extremely relaxing to sit outside and simply meditate and reflect on the day you have had so far. A common way of reflecting is known as journaling. This can also help you to set some goals or simply plan the next few days.

Your wellbeing is the most important thing

Another good way of spending your time is by getting involved with societies. Whilst the majority of events take place in the evenings, there is always something going on during the days too! Aerobics society run a variety of classes during the day which all take place in the SU. This is a great way to exercise, without going to the gym, as well as meet new people! Also, the SU often has events going on during the day such as clothes or food sales, this is another great way to explore and perhaps buy something new!

Whatever it is you choose to do in your gaps at uni, try to vary your days to prevent exhaustion. Your wellbeing is the most important thing and as productive as spending five hours in the library sounds, it is definitely not always the best option.