After the excitement of starting new classes and getting used to a new schedule dies down, it is easy to get bored with everyday life as a college student. Every day feels the same, full of the same classes, the same people, and a lot of work to do. It can get so monotonous that you start to dread getting up in the morning.
I have started to feel like this, but it's time to stop succumbing to the boredom and actually living every day with a purpose.
When it comes to the normal routine, try to switch up your environment when you can. Instead of studying at your desk, trying finding a new spot on campus, away from your room, to make your work a little more interesting. Instead of sitting in the same corner of the library every day, try to go to the other side, a different floor, or a different building altogether.
It's amazing what a change in scenery can do for your mindset.
Tired of eating a rotation of the same meals every day? Try a completely new place on campus, a food truck you never thought to try, or go out for dinner one night with some friends off campus. This can give you something to look forward to on a day that would normally be routine.
If you aren't someone who goes to parties to unwind every weekend, try getting some friends and exploring a new place. There's so much to do in Philadelphia all the time, so us Temple students can hop on the subway any day and find something interesting.
We all know it's there, but how many of us actually take advantage of all the fun we could have off campus?
To me, the most important thing we can do at this point is to remind ourselves why we are here and to give ourselves a new perspective regarding our studies. Some classes might seem really boring, but if you approach it in a way that values learning something new and actually retaining the knowledge you pick up after taking the exam, it can make things seem much more interesting.
Cultivating mindfulness can also help. No matter what you do with your free time, try to be as present as possible. Put your phone down, really listen to the people around you, and treat everything you do like an experience that's worthwhile.
It sounds corny, but if I set an intention to be mindful throughout my day, I feel much more fulfilled and happy with how I am spending my time, versus forcing myself to do the things I have to do but don't really want to and being distracted/wishing I was somewhere else the whole time.
For the rest of the semester, I am going to try to be really present in my every day. Whether that's classes, studying, exercising, or having fun, doing things with intention is one of the best things we can do for ourselves as college students, but also as human beings. It's a perspective that we can take with us for the rest of our lives.
