Ways to enjoy the summer even with classes
School shouldn’t come at the expense of our mental health
Fun Activities to balance academics and Mental Health. (pxhere)
While winter, fall, or spring might be other people’s favourite seasons, summer is ultimately the best of all. The weather is bright, fresh, and sunny. Birds chirp, new flowers blossom, and it’s the time to hit the beach, soak up the sun, and spend time outside.
However, while this hot season begins, it also signals the start of something else for some university folks, a new semester. Whether you are taking two or five courses this summer, it can feel like your summer is being swallowed up by essays, midterms, finals, and weekly quizzes.
But there are plenty of ways to squeeze things in while also keeping up with your homework and good grades.
Take advantage of that sunshine and study at a park. Choose parks with benches, a lake or beach, and nice trees with lots of shade, and don’t forget to pack a picnic. If you are taking online classes, spend the day studying at a spot with a view.
Even if you are taking in-person classes, choose a day on the weekend or a weekday that you are not on campus to dedicate to yourself.
Pack or pick up some lunch and take a few moments to forget about the essay you have been stressing about and breathe and be present. If you need to catch up, the outdoors could offer you some sort of studying solace to help you absorb all the information.
Berry picking is a fun summer activity. I always set aside time in July or August to go pick the prime fruits of the season. Gather some friends or take the family out to the Krause or Driediger Berry Farms to spend the day picking some delicious fruit. It’s a rewarding activity.
If you are not the type of person who wants to risk sticking their hands in a bush to get some raspberries, many of these farms have pre-picked berries or baked goods for purchase. Plus, there is always an option to listen to online lectures while filling your basket with strawberries.
Some students may feel that because their summer consists of classes, they’ll never have time for that road trip they’d been saving for.
But you can take a shorter road trip over a long weekend or a regular weekend. Most in-person classes do not go into the weekends, so if you have a class on Friday, hit the road after class and spend the weekend taking in the world’s natural beauties. While on your mini getaway, you could always get in some reading during the endless hours of winding roads and blue skies.
We shouldn’t feel guilty for taking an afternoon or daybreak from studying. School, while stressful, shouldn’t consume every thought. If school begins to impact you negatively, it can take a real toll on your mental health. Make sure to take time for yourself this summer.
