Things to do in your reading week
1 March 2023
University life can be a genuinely exhilarating rollercoaster, with all its busy and calm periods. This is why, when we get a mini-break from it, we seem to lose all focus and just relax. With this week being reading week, or for some of us, a time of true boredom, I came up with a few to-dos that might make it more productive!
Before I begin my list, it is important for us to note that it is perfectly fine to just relax and enjoy this break without making it productive. Do what your heart tells you to!
1. Explore new places
Yes, this might sound so cliche but if you think about it, travelling and exploring new places is something we almost never have the time/ energy to do anymore. With this bustling university life, it becomes difficult to take a break from our routine and go to unknown places. Well, in this reading week, you can simply walk around Cardiff or take a bus to a new place. Keeping in mind the budgetary restrictions, it is completely okay to just visit a museum or check out new parks around you. Not only is this a refreshing break to your mind, but it will also motivate you to be more productive when you are back from a mini-vacation.
2. Burn those calories
Due to the constant rush of assignments and lectures, it can become really hard to keep track of your health. Reading week can give you that much-needed break… one that can help you catch up with your fitness goals. It doesn’t have to be a major goal, you can start small and do whatever feels best. From doing simple tasks like taking a walk to strenuous ones like going to the gym, this time can be put to good use.
3. Revive your hobbies
While you juggle your social and academic life, time can slip by. The reading week is a good time to reconnect with those forgotten hobbies and do more things that you truly enjoy. Being home for a week might not sound like a big deal but it can get boring if you have nothing to do. Hobbies are a great way to fulfil these gaps and give yourself a break.
4. Reconnect with family and friends
Being busy all the time is just one of the things that describe university students. In the constant hustle and bustle, your family and friends might not feel like a priority and you might not be able to make time for them. This is why, when the break begins, you can finally talk to them properly, or even go visit them. Being surrounded by your family and friends can help you feel at home and at ease. You can recharge yourself and come back to university with a bag full of memories!
5. Lastly, read!
Last but definitely not least, catch up on your readings and assignments! The whole purpose of this break is to give you some extra time to catch up on your academic tasks and to lessen the burden on your mind so putting it to good use is important. Without stressing a lot, this week can be used to accomplish all those tasks you have been postponing or just did not have the energy for.