2021 Archives | Page 2 of 2

10 03, 2021

8 Hobbies to Pick Up as a Student
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8 Hobbies to Pick Up as a Student

college students, college tips

8 Hobbies to Pick Up as a Student

By Aly Hashim|2021-03-12T00:24:58-06:00March 10th, 2021|college students, college tips|Comments Off on 8 Hobbies to Pick Up as a Student

College is a time for self-discovery and venturing out into new areas. As we progress through this journey, we are constantly juggling to maintain our academic pursuits along with a social life. With so much on our plates, we often forget to seek out new experiences that bring us joy. As college students, it is imperative to pick up new hobbies that we find pleasure in and those that give us a sense of purpose.

8 Hobbies to Pick Up as a Student

1. Cooking

By always being on such a tight schedule, we turn to quick meals and fast food for convenience. Cooking is a fun and useful hobby to learn. Cooking regularly may also help you stay more health-conscious and enjoy discovering new and versatile recipes.

2. Art

Many of us are often discouraged at the fact that we can’t create beautiful pieces like Picasso or Van Gogh, so we don’t even give art a chance. However, you don’t need to create picture-perfect art to have fun or even express yourself! Art is such a broad category, meaning you can experiment with anything, including drawing, painting, photography, scrapbooking, and more.

3. Investing

As college students, we’re preparing for the real world and all of the financial obligations we may face after graduating. Learning the basics behind investing can ease the burden for our future selves. Beginning to invest in your future is always a great start. Not to mention it can be a great way to make extra cash and become more aware of current events that impact the financial markets.

4. Volunteering

We are all thankful to be part of different communities which provide a strong foundation. If you’re looking for ways to give back, volunteering is a great hobby to pick up. Not only can this be an enjoyable activity to do with your friends, but this can also help you internalize important life skills such as empathy, adaptability, and leadership.

5. Learning a New Language

Although English is the most widely spoken language, learning another language can be extremely useful. It can help you connect with individuals that come from different backgrounds, advance your professional career, and appreciate other cultures you haven’t previously been exposed to. There are always free resources you can find online to assist you in pursuing this hobby!

6. Learning a New Instrument

By knowing how to play an instrument, you have an amazing way to connect with others and express yourself. This hobby gives you the chance to enhance your cognitive ability, relieve your stress, and even increase your creativity! With this, you will also feel proud and confident in your abilities.

7. Working Out

As many of us know, physical activity is vital to improve your health and reduce your chances of different diseases. Working out can be the perfect way to engage in physical activity. You will notice more appealing results in both your figure and strength. At the end of the day, it will also increase your quality of life.

8. Gardening

This hobby is one that’s both empowering and therapeutic. You will notice that as you spend more and more time gardening, your mood will get boosted and stress will be alleviated. You will also have a greater sense of accomplishment when you notice that your hard work and dedication produce desirable results.

24 02, 2021

The Snow Break
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The Snow Break

college students, spring break

The Snow Break

By Jenna Frisby|2021-03-09T04:37:28-06:00February 24th, 2021|college students, spring break|Comments Off on The Snow Break

Texas experienced one of the most unprecedented winter storms last week. Counties across the state lost water and electricity, leaving countless families with busted pipes and other severe damages. The hardest thing for college students – no WiFi.

In light of the negative things the weather brought, there was a silver lining for students. Many universities had taken away spring break in order to condense the academic calendar for the semester. The weather provided a spontaneous “snow break”, and for many, a much-needed break at that.

Since the roads were iced over, students were forced to create their own fun indoors. It often felt like we were on an episode of Survivor, forced to ration our food and water, constantly on edge that we could lose power any minute. Being trapped in the house with nowhere to escape is never a fun feeling.

I was fascinated by the reactions of students who grew up in Texas to the snow and ice. Being from Virginia, I’m used to one or two of these storms a year. I certainly never expected to experience this kind of cold weather in Texas.

Over the course of the week we were stuck inside, my roommates and I binged over 20 different movies, played games, cooked Pinterest recipes with ingredients we could find around the house, and checked Doordash every few hours to see if they were delivering; spoiler alert, they weren’t. Nevertheless, the time at home created an even stronger bond among my roommates as we went through something so unprecedented together. I wouldn’t trade that for anything.

If you thought 2020 was the year of unexpected events, apparently 2021 has more in store for us. Although last week wasn’t the warm and tropical spring break I imagined, it was certainly more memorable. After this impromptu snow break, my new saying is to “expect the unexpected”, and I think that sums up life right now.

11 02, 2021

Starting the Semester Off Right
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Starting the Semester Off Right

college students, college tips

Starting the Semester Off Right

By Aly Hashim|2021-08-03T04:33:54-05:00February 11th, 2021|college students, college tips|Comments Off on Starting the Semester Off Right

Winter break is always a great time for relaxation after the fall semester. Many of us had the chance to reconnect with friends and family, celebrate the holidays, and ultimately reflect on this past year. Although 2020 was not at all what anyone had expected, we all had opportunities to grow and develop. Cheers to the next chapter in our lives – and for college students that means a great spring semester.

Top 7 tips to start the semester off right:

1. Use a Planner

As college students, many of us are constantly overwhelmed with the number of assignments, projects, tests, and club meetings we have in any single week. The truth is we’re never too cool for a planner! At the beginning of each week, write down all of your obligations to ensure that you stay organized and don’t forget any deadlines.

2. Meal Prep

In college, FOMO is real and time is of the essence. The last thing you want to do is attempt to cook when you’re buried in homework. Therefore, meal prep can be a great strategy to stay cost-efficient and eat healthily. Move away from microwavable meals and fast food, and prepare your meals ahead of time to stay fit, save money, and increase productivity.

3. Exercise

Although we often prioritize academic deadlines and social obligations to stimulate our mental health, some of us forget to take care of our physical health. Strive to take care of yourself physically by lifting weights, doing yoga, or just simply taking a brisk walk outside between classes. You will find that if you include physical activity in your daily routine, you will be healthier, happier, and more productive.

4. Get to Know your Professors

Something that many of us often ignore is striving to get to know our professors. However, your professors are your professors for a reason; each one of them has a diverse set of backgrounds and life experiences. Attend their office hours or schedule a one-on-one meeting with them. It is your job to take advantage of this resource and seek advice that you can instill into your academic and professional journey.

5. Unplug your Virtual Self

Zoom fatigue is an exhausting issue. From constantly watching lectures on your laptop to checking social media, a lot of us don’t get a break from technology. Technology is an important part of our everyday lives, but it’s easy to forget that there is a life outside of our virtual screens. Take some time out of your busy schedule to catch up with a friend, play a sport, or take a relaxing hike. It can be a great stress-reliever!

6. Start Building your Resume

Creating or updating a resume may not seem like a priority if you’re not actively looking for a job, but taking the early initiative in your professional journey can be extremely beneficial. Academics are of great concern, of course. However, equally important is what you do outside of the classroom! Building your resume and networking are great ways to take the first step in your future career.

7. Have Fun!

The last but certainly not least important tip we want to offer you is to truly enjoy your time as a college student. College is the time to figure out who you are and where you feel you belong. Create new bonds, join organizations, and take advantage of the social atmosphere that college fosters. Many people look back at their college experiences as transformative, and now is your time to start creating those lifelong memories!

29 01, 2021

Winter Break Recap
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Winter Break Recap

college students, winter break

Winter Break Recap

By Jenna Frisby|2021-08-03T04:36:35-05:00January 29th, 2021|college students, winter break|Comments Off on Winter Break Recap

The holidays are always one of the most cherished times of the year. Elementary and college students alike look forward to a break from the stress that the school year entails. Winter break is a time to spend with family, binge a Netflix show, or sleep in until noon without consequences. What could be better?

However, this year’s winter break looked a little bit different. With the pandemic more prevalent than ever, communities limited business hours and encouraged residents to stay home. Travel restrictions forced many families to celebrate the holidays apart and alter long-standing family traditions.

A time of year usually centered around visiting elderly relatives required out of the box thinking. This resulted in holiday gatherings on Zoom and outdoor visits in the freezing weather. Christmas Eve church services were watched online by many in living rooms without a choir to drown out your off-key singing.

With all of this unprecedented change in the world, it has allowed me to reflect on the things that remain steadfast. As college students return to campus and adjust back to class schedules, we have an optimal opportunity to reset. Therefore, we can all strive to focus less on the negatives from 2020 and maintain a positive mindset when tackling the year ahead!