Unstructured time is rare for busy college students. For some (like me), it can actually be intimidating. What do I do with all this free time, especially during a pandemic? This year, I made a list of the things that I have always wanted to do but have not had the time to during the school year. Here it is:
- Read. I LOVE reading, and there are so many books in queue. Becoming by Michelle Obama, Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens, A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Housseini, and The Emperor of All Maladies by Siddhartha Mukherjee. I recently finished Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End by Atul Gawande, and I recommend it for anyone thinking about going into the field of medicine. The author makes an argument about how doctors and caretakers ought to treat those in old age and those with terminal illnesses.
- Netflix. I just finished season two of How to Get Away with Murder. Fun fact: it’s filmed at USC! This show is gripping and suspenseful… it was so tempting to keep pressing “next episode.” As secrets about murders and crimes are revealed, you are taken through some big twists and turns!
- Cook. In college, it’s easy to get by with Trader Joe’s frozen meals and a quick chicken and broccoli dish. As a result, my cooking repertoire is quite limited. My goal is to learn a few new recipes this break!
- Exercise. Besides some beautiful morning and afternoon runs, I have been enjoying free YouTube workout videos by Pamela Reif and Heather Robertson. Pamela has intense 10- and 20-minute full body HIIT workouts that get you sweating after a couple exercises. Most of her videos do not require any weights, but you definitely feel the burn! Heather Robertson has longer workouts – 30-45 minutes – that often involve weights. They’re great for cardio, core, and strength!
- Beach. Living in Hawaii, I’m lucky to be surrounded by beautiful beaches. You know where to find me!
Whatever you choose to do with your unstructured time, make the most of it. It becomes rarer as you go through college: you can say goodbye to summer break when you take on summer research programs and internships! Most importantly, kick back, relax, and enjoy the stress-free life :).
