Being in college gives you a lot of freedom, and depending on how much you stack up classes and extracurricular activities, you may or may not have a lot of down time on your hands that you're desperately looking to fill. Despite whether your free time is plentiful or tight, it's always best for anyone to use their time as wisely as possible. So if you find yourself with those awkward gaps in your schedule this semester, here are some good ideas for spending that time as productively as possible.
1. Type up your notes from your classes.
Sometimes going through and typing up notes you already hand wrote can help you remember the information. Plus, you can have another copy of your notes on your computer just in case you lose your handwritten ones.
2. Take advantage of your professors' office hours whenever possible.
If you're looking to ever get into grad school, or just looking to make a good impression on your professor, dropping into their office with a question or two will definitely help you out a whole lot in the long run.
3. Along those lines, if your professor has a TA for that class, take advantage of their office hours too.
They're a really great resource that not a lot of students use.
4. Naps.
If you have the time. Just make sure to set your alarm.
5. Read for pleasure.
Whether you bought a book from the store or borrowed one from the school library, it's a good way to wind down from stress and relax a bit.
6. Grab a bite to eat with a friend.
If the two of you have schedules that match with time off in between classes, grab lunch or a coffee and catch up.
7. Study, obviously.
Flashcards, rereading notes, outlining, whatever you want.
8. Head over to the computer lab and print out any articles or documents that your professor might post online for the class to read.
It might be good to have a hard copy of those things to keep with you.
9. Along with that, make your study materials for upcoming tests and quizzes.
Whether that be making a study guide, creating flashcards, or using a computer program or app to use for your studying; whatever works for you the best.
10. Call your parents!
Better yet, call your grandparents, because you probably haven't talked to them in a long time and it's overdue. A nice 20-minute conversation with a family member you love and miss can make the whole being away at college thing a little easier to manage.
11. Cook yourself dinner that you'll be able to heat up later on in the day or in the week.
If you have an hour or two of downtime on your hands but you know that later on in the day is going to be busy, go back to your room and make yourself dinner if you have access to a kitchen. If not, go get yourself something to eat and put it in your fridge for later.
12. Run errands.
Depending on how much time you have, I've been known to hop on the bus and go to the bank in between classes, or even to the supermarket super quick.
13. Take this time to relax and do something strictly for yourself.
Whether that's listening to music, watching a few episodes of a show in your computer, or whatever it is you like to do.
15. Phone calls.
Make any phone calls you've been putting off, like for doctors' appointments, things concerning your bills, or anything else that comes to mind.
16. Research for your future!
As silly as it may sound to be looking at grad schools before you're ready to apply, or searching jobs before you're ready to enter the workforce, it's a good idea to get a feel for what's out there, and ultimately start deciding the goals and dreams that you have for yourself regarding your education and your professional life.
16. Get yourself organized.
Sort through your papers, go through your planner to make sure you're not forgetting anything, and make sure you feel organized.
17. Start that paper due in two weeks that you will totally want to procrastinate on.
It happens every time, but you know how much better off you'd be if you at least got it started early, if not finished.
