School’s a chore, isn’t it? As undergraduates, juggling five modules every semester can be pretty challenging and daunting, especially if we do not have clear expectations or goals in mind. Nevertheless, just like previous semesters, we will plough through this one in a blink of an eye, and we’ll soon be enjoying our summer vacation. Seriously though, do we really want our lives to be a blur? Not forgetting the avalanche of readings and tutorials to tackle, certainly, you wouldn’t want to equate university life with solely studying right? (Really, are readings that worthy of being equated to university life? I hope not!) I know time really isn’t on your side when you’re in university – academia simply takes priority over everything in your life. Swarmed in stress and competition, we may lose ourselves through this journey to academic excellence. This year, let’s make an effort to take some time off the realm of academia. Spend an afternoon or just an evening away from your usual routine and rediscover yourself.
1. Back to Basics – Get a Hobby
This certainly does sound familiar. If you don’t have a hobby, start small. I remember when I was a little girl, I collected stamps, and now I collect postcards. Before Karl Marx and Emile Durkhiem became a part of my life, I used to chill in the library and read tons of random books written by Melissa de la Cruz and Meg Cabot. Hunt for your abandoned piano scores and let your fingers dance along the keys again. Grab your bicycle and cycle around your neighbourhood. Throw on your swimsuit and plunge into the swimming pool. Pick up your guitar and start jamming. This list is literally endless! Hobbies are great for you to do the things you (once) loved doing, and to momentarily escape from your status as an undergraduate. It makes you happier and more carefree and I’m sure you’ll be even more motivated with your life after that!
2. Cliché – Join an Activity in School
You’ve been there, done that. Since Primary School, every institution you’ve been in requires you to have a CCA. “It’s for CCA points” – they tell you. Now that you’ve finally entered the university, no one will be here to bug you about signing up for an extra-curricular activity and actually sticking to it. Doesn’t that spell something greater? I doubt so. The time and energy invested to groom something and/or people will be irreplaceable yet unforgettable. Not only will you meet people with similar interests as you, you’ll learn more about yourself by realizing your strengths and weaknesses through the activity. Enough talk about how you need to beef up your resumé with a glorious list of activities you’ve been involved in in school. Sure, no doubt you’ll appear to be a more holistic student in the eyes of employers but perhaps you should join an activity for yourself. Because you like it and therefore, you want to be a part of it. Afterall, isn’t university almost the last time you’ll ever get easier access to opportunities to do something you like? Do yourself a favour and be a part of something bigger in school.
3. Throw a party
In this day and age, the definition of “party” can be explored in many ways. In its literal sense, “party” has the connotation of gathering people. For that matter, you don’t need a reason to throw a party (since birthdays and other “events” are social constructs anyway). Gather your friends and interact with them in person. No more talking on WhatsApp chat groups, Google Docs or Skype. Pick a venue and actually hang out like you used to before technological advancements came along. Go for a barbeque session. Head over to the Botanic Gardens for a nice potluck picnic. Strip to your swimwear at the beach. Spend that afternoon or evening away from school and actually get to know this course-mate or lab-partner you’ve been working with or will be working with. It’s a party! Go out and celebrate your friendships.
4. Be Bold – Try Something New
Since it’s a new semester and it happens to be the start of a brand new year, why not be bold and try something new? It doesn’t necessarily have to be something huge such skydiving! Been spying on that delicious-looking cupcake made by your friend? Learn how to make it! Envious of blogshop models looking fabulous and photogenic every time? Dress up and engage in your personal LookBook rendition! Been walking past and eyeing that elaborate Swedish restaurant but have not got the guts to try new cuisines? Drag a friend and check it out! (Fika at Arab Street serves really good Swedish food) Swim with the fishes at SEA Aquarium. Ice-skate at JCube (Friends tell me Kallang might be cheaper though!). You only live once so embrace your youth, go out and try something new. You’ll never find out your preference until you’ve tried it!
5. Celebrate You – Spend Some Me-Time
How many times in a week do you find yourself spending hours talking to people on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or WhatsApp? And how many times in a week do you get free time to yourself? With people, it’s always talking-entertaining-accommodating-bla-bla-bla… don’t you feel exhausted? Sometimes I do! This whole concept of me-time can be scary and deviant. Afterall, who wants to be labeled a loner? The whole purpose of spending me-time is to (re)discover yourself, do something you like or want to do without accounting your preferences to anyone. It’s your life after all, so fret not about what people think about you! Get a portion your beloved fast food (mine is a large pack of French fries from McDonalds). Unplug your ears from safe haven of those headphones and embrace the sounds of nature. Travel to the corners of Singapore and indulge in the tranquility of Punggol Waterway Park. Not in the mood for travelling outdoors? Stay at home then. Spend some quality time with Ellen deGeneres on YouTube. Find new songs on Spotify or NoiseTrade. The key is to escape from your usual dose of societal expectations and adopt the pace you want and like. You may actually appreciate your life even more after that – cheers to celebrating you!
For most of us, university is the last step before we leave for the workforce, and everyone wants to remember university life as somewhat enjoyable, if not bittersweet. From tales of working adults, worklife is going to be a rigid and tedious journey and so let’s make use of this last dose of freedom we have as undergraduates before it’s too late. It’s 2014! It’s time to do something about your life. Cheers to a new year of self-discovery! Plus, isn’t it in everyone’s New Year resolutions to be a better person?