So you got some new sweaters, jean and boots, and realized you needed more flannels, yoga pants and sports bras. You have to pack, say goodbye to friends and clean your room, but don’t forget to prepare for the journey back to campus. Here are some space friendly ways to pass the time:
1. Bring a book.
This flight, train ride, road trip or ferry excursion back to college may be the last time in the next several months that you get to read a book for fun so do it, dammit. Don’t read something heavy and intellectual. Indulge in the potato chips of books like romantic novels or the Mindy Kaling book (which is hilarious and smart, so you really should read it.) Download a book on your phone/
2. Bring a mask.
3. Bring one of the texts for next semester and get a jump on your reading.
4. Journal for five minutes.
You may think that you have some time before you get old and can’t remember events in your life, but honestly,I can’t remember what years I went on what vacations and the names of people I would like to remember from said vacations. I am not even 20 yet, so if I have a hard time remembering, then chances are you do too, or you will sooner than you’d like to think you will. Jot down a list of your favorite moments from the holiday or the week or the year. Help your future self remember the events you just went through.
5. Polish your resume.
Look through that bad boy, or write it if you haven’t already. Chances are you will need it soon for job applications, internships or summer programs. Making sure your resume is up to date and free of silly errors will save you lots of time and regret when it comes time to apply for a job.
6. Write your parents a thank you note.
This may seem silly, but your parents just put up with you for a number of weeks without asking you to pay rent or chip in for groceries. Write down some sentiment that lets them know that you appreciate them supporting your decision to go to college and that you are grateful for their warm bed and fully stocked fridge.
7. Move around.
For me, the worst thing about travelling is all of the sitting. So a few years ago, I decided I wouldn’t. Now when I fly, I get an aisle seat and every half hour I head to the back of the plane to do some lunges or squats. Sometimes the flight attendants even join me! If you need some extra motivation to walk around while you travel, consider that when you sit for a long time, you stop enzymes that help break down fat. This prevents you from burning fat efficiently. If the superficial reason doesn’t get you moving, then how about this one: your concentration levels decrease as you sit because less oxygen and blood gets to your brain. If for some reason this doesn’t get you up, then consider the fact that researchers have found that sitting leads to five million people dying prematurely each year. So get up and move!
