After long and arduous coffee-powered all-nighters, stressful last-minute cramming, meals at irregular intervals, and tides of uncertainty and self-doubt that culminated minutes before an exam, you deserve to relax and have fun without assignment tugging at the back of your mind. For those who are trying to cut back on internet usage or who have become fed up with looking at a screen after almost two years of virtual learning, there are plenty of gratifying activities, sans Wi-Fi that you can indulge in this spring break.
1. Hiking: Nothing says “I am present in the moment” like a walk through nature, and what better way to do that than hiking? In addition to granting you an opportunity to enjoy the scenery before you, successfully climbing up a ridge or carrying on along a path when you’re sore and out of breath fills you with a sense of pride and leaves you impressed with your own resolve. If you’re feeling lonely, you can always bring friends along.
Hiking with a group can be even more entertaining and gives you the opportunity to bond, as well as test your teamwork abilities. If you are looking for variety, some alternatives to hiking include trekking, rock and mountain climbing, trail running, and mountain biking.
2. Arts and Crafts: Whether it’s painting, pottery, sketching, sculpture, or any other form, there is a sense of relief that comes from expressing yourself artistically, which is why it is a type of therapy offered to patients of all ages. Furthermore, creating something with your own hands, or transforming a mere idea into a tangible 2D or 3D artwork, will likely make you feel good about yourself. Even if you don’t have the faintest inclination toward art, you can, for example, learn to progress from a childlike stick figure to a decently drawn human form. Soon enough, you can add another skill to your disposal, and perhaps get involved in an art community at the same time.
3. Board Games with Friends: All right, let’s say you want to truly relax this break and not waste your energy honing existing skills or developing new ones. Luckily, I have the answer for you: board game nights with your friends. Imagine yourself, if you will, sitting on the floor, refreshingly cool against the rising temperatures, with a drink in hand, and your best buddies surrounding you. Someone cracks a joke, and fits of laughter reverberate in the air, drowning the background music coming from your friend’s Spotify. In my experience, those nights are unforgettable, and the only time somebody brings out a phone is to permanently capture the memory. It really makes you feel much more connected to the people around you and grateful for their presence in your life. For those who are especially interested in storytelling and worldbuilding, I highly recommend Dungeons and Dragons.
Remember to rest as well! Eat well, drink enough water, and get as close to eight hours of sleep as possible. You have earned it. Good job surviving finals week.