By: Brittany Reynolds
You are alone; you do not know many people and you are the new kid on the block. Walking onto a large campus can be nerve-racking. It is your first year; your first semester and you are overwhelmed by the workload thrust upon you. You are not ready. You may think that hiding in your room with Netflix and a giant tub of Nutella is the most relaxing way to spend your free time; especially when you are skipping your 8 a.m. class that you regret more and more each day. Have you ever considered spending some time outdoors?
Campus life can be such a hustle and bustle. It is rare to see someone literally stop to smell the roses. Here is a guide for all of those freshmen that have not quite yet figured out what campus life can be like.
You are more than likely reading this and thinking that you move from class to class and do not have any time to really breathe in the fresh air. Taking the long way to class should always be an option. It is such a small, yet necessary, addition to your day. Sure, you may be arriving five minutes prior to class rather than 10, but you get to enjoy the scenery and refresh yourself in between classes. If you ever have any extra time, find a nice green area lie down and feel the sun blanket your skin. It often leaves you feeling warm both inside and out. Allow your mind to drift and just reflect on the tasks of your day. Occasionally, it feels good to change it up and find a swing to lounge on. The gentle sway can ease your muscles and allows your body to decompose for whatever time you have.
Maybe you are the opposite. Perhaps you are stuck with hours in between your classes. Frisbees may have become a must. It should actually be a staple in any care package given to a college student. You can almost always make a friend if you walk on the green and ask someone if they would like to toss the Frisbee. It is nearly impossible to think about that difficult test or an upcoming terrifying presentation if you are tossing a Frisbee. This can really go for any sport that you enjoy.
“Great ideas!” you say, “but I am looking for something less—active?” My favorite way to get maximum relaxation is to grab a hammock, grab a buddy and rock the time away on the campus green. You can sleep in hammocks. You can read in hammocks. You can talk, laugh, cry or eat in hammocks. They essentially create a personal bubble that you can isolate yourself in for however long you please. Honestly, this is a great way to relax on campus.
Whether you want alone time, group time, friend time or relationship time; there are no rules that say you cannot do this outside. Sooner or later you are going to see that it is the little things that truly make a difference. This guide is for you so that you can figure all this out sooner rather than later. As s freshman, I would have spent a ton more time enduring the elements than indulging alone.
