As the academic year ramps up once again, it’s easy to get swept up in the academic bustle and fill your free time with all the coursework you need to do. Although focusing on your studies is not something to discourage, I often find myself neglecting the other elements of my life that exist beyond campus. Here are some goals I have set for myself that can inspire some of your own!
Travel the world
It’s easy to explore somewhere new! Think about it this way: Chances are, there are more places you haven’t seen than places you have. If you aspire to be a globetrotter, start planning a big trip to a different country or state. I, personally, am more of a homebody — my travel plans will be less grandiose and more local. If you haven’t, I recommend visiting the Lawrence Hall of Science, Bay Street Emeryville or the Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive!
Broaden your horizons
This time, metaphorically! I’m sure we all have something we’ve wanted to try that hasn’t been checked off the bucket list just yet. Maybe that’s joining a fun DeCal, trying a new recipe or going to a fair (no, the job kind doesn’t count). I haven’t been to a farmers’ market yet despite knowing of a few that happen regularly in the Berkeley area, so I’m not giving myself any excuses to avoid visiting one this year.
Stay at home
After all this exploration (or a long academic grind), there’s nothing better than settling down and getting comfortable. Knowing how to recharge the batteries is an invaluable skill, especially for those who enjoy stepping outside of their comfort zone. If you’ve been neglecting your mental health or abandoning your self-care routines, this is your sign to bundle up in some blankets, unfurl the yoga mat or bring out the nail polish. Midterms will be around the corner before you know it, and making sure you’re mentally and emotionally prepared is just as important as academic preparation.
Return to the past
With all of this pressure to succeed — looking to the next class, the next internship — it’s good to slow down for a moment to look back and see how far you’ve come. This could mean going deep down memory lane, whether that’s visiting the park you used to go to as a kid or reflecting on the last few years of the high school or community college you went to. For example, I recently visited my elementary school and was able to point out the classrooms I had and the new murals they’ve painted since I went there. As a new goal, I would like to visit some of my high school teachers and see how they are doing.
Setting goals to spice up your life doesn’t have to look the same for everyone. In the end, it’s really about making sure you don’t forget what the world has to offer outside of lecture halls. Knowing how to do this will help you break up the monotony of school or work and let the time pass a little easier.