We know how important your down time is at university and especially the Spring Break!
A lot of students know the stereotype of the wild vacation and the big spring blow out, but that isn’t the only way you can enjoy your down time. Have a little read below for some inspiration that won’t break the bank, but will definitely make you feel good about yourself.
Fitness first?
We promise we didn’t mean to swear, and yes we did say the ‘F’ word. Fitness. Some of us love it, and some of us hate it, but someone out there once said it has a great benefit on the body. Use your downtime to switch off, take in some self-care and love, and exercise that magnificent body you were gifted. Did you know, even a 20 minute walk a day can improve mental wellbeing? Maybe task yourself with walking in to town once a week, instead of that cheeky taxi trip? It’s surprising what it could do for you.
Go local
Having the luxury of time off doesn’t mean you need time away. Sometimes it’s nice to remember what is around you, and support local. If you’re planning to stay at your student accommodation during your break, why not pick a place you’ve never heard of, use public transport and see what it has to offer? If you’re going back home, why not go for a walk in the countryside, visit a local café, or have a wander around your town to take in some museums. When life gets so busy, it’s easy to forget what is around us. So make the most of something local, and take it in with your family or friends!
Get ahead academically
Take the time to understand where you’re at with your course. Create a diary and flag all your key dates leading up to the summer, and do a breakdown of the time leading up to this. If you have any big assignments or assessments coming up, it will give you a healthy understanding of where you can fit in your hours of revision, or where you can commit a day to planning your assignments. It might sound simple, but a hectic end to the year creeps up on so many students, so it could surprise you how much breaking it all down on to paper, or on a screen, might help you understand your deadlines effectively. Helping to make university that little bit easier for you.
Become a meal prep pro
With the dark winter nights finally in the past, thinking about what benefits you and your body is a great way to approach your break. Developing a routine over this time could allow you more balance in your life, both in your down time and your diet. Why not try something new, and learn how to cook? Start with your favourite dish, or type of food, and develop from there. You might suddenly find that takeaways are no longer your go-to quick fix, and your bank balance could potentially look a lot healthier for this decision too! Even better, why not find out what your favourite home cooked recipe is, and bring back to university with you. Treat your flatmates to a bit of home cooking! Check out our budget friendly winter warmer recipes for some inspiration.
Spring break…spring clean?
We’re at it again! And this time we’re throwing around the ‘c’ word… but it’s healthy and therapeutic to give your room, or the shared areas of your flat, a good clean every now and again. Students obviously have a bad rep for this but don’t give in to the cliche, you might be surprised at the benefits of tackling the grime in the kitchen or blitzing your bathroom. After all, who doesn’t love that fresh bed sheet feeling when you crawl into bed? Need inspiration on how best to approach the task? Do that Marie Kondo approach and hold your stuff close to you and see if it sparks any ‘Keep-Me’ joy. If not, why not donate to charity instead of chucking?
Volunteer
Sometimes it’s good to give back, and volunteering is a great way to do so. It’s the easiest, and most fulfilling, way to get to know the community around you, and support those who need a little extra help. It can also add to your CV when applying for jobs after graduation. Local animal shelters, food kitchens, charity shops and libraries can be a great place to start. You might kick off with a few hours a week, but this could develop into something you become more passionate about. And remember, this could also give you scope for a career path in the future, from teaching to administration, to engaging with projects, it all helps in your path to development. To find out more information visit Do-it.
