By Emmy Edwards
As a freshman, I have encountered that, “I have nothing to do. I guess I’ll just sit in my room alone and watch Gossip Girl on Netflix” feeling many different times. Although every once in a while it is great to just relax and get some alone time in the dorm, there are many different fun things to do on campus to get to know more people or to get rid of nagging boredom.
1. Need to study? Vacate that dorm room!
One of my absolute favorite activities as a freshman has been studying with friends in different places around or off campus. Sometimes, I will study with my good friends, or sometimes, I will make a new friend by studying with someone who is in one of my classes. If I’m going to study, why do it alone? Sometimes, I need the motivation of having another friend there with me. We go to the Student Union Building (SUB), the Honors College, East Village, Collins lobby, study rooms, Moody Library, the Baylor Sciences Building, Armstrong Browning Library or— weather permitting — to a table outside. Off campus, we will venture to Common Grounds, Barnes and Noble, Dichotomy, World Cup Café, Panera Bread or even Cameron Park.
Now sometimes, when I need to really focus and study alone, I find it better to get out of my dorm room. My favorite spot to study on my own is in the tranquility garden outside of Armstrong Browning Library or in a study carol on the nearly silent third floor of Moody Library. Getting out of the dorm to study creates a separation between the place I sleep and the places I study, which is a really good thing. I am also out more, which is good for my mental well-being, especially during stressful study times.
2. Go eat some food. Mmmmmm.
Everyone eats right? Sometimes, I will text someone random to get lunch and just meet up with them. If I have no one to eat with, I like to grab some food to go and eat it at a nice place outside. A lot of the time, I will run into someone I know in the dining hall and eat with them. Plus, there are a million stellar places to eat across Waco. I still have not tried all of the food that I want to try in this town, and I’ve been here for a few months now! Eating out is also a great way to get to know the city a little bit better.
3. Is it Sunday morning? Try church!
I know it is really difficult to wake up early for church on Sunday mornings. Some days, I just want to lay in bed all day long, but I have found that I never regret going to church. Church is a great way to get refreshed for the week of school ahead, and it’s another fun way to get to know people on a deeper level. I made a great group of church friends, some of whom I would not know without my church. Also, some of our other friends have started tagging along with us. Our conversations at our weekly after church lunch are always thought-provoking and honest. I love getting to hear my friends’ perspectives after the services!
4. Get your workout on!
Being a college student isn’t always the healthiest lifestyle in the world. Between staying up late, eating the delicious food of Waco and the easy accessibility of all that dining hall food, it is important to try to keep some health in balance. A great way to do this is by working out! The Student Life Center (SLC) is a great place. It’s very big, and everyone has a different kind of workout skill level. There are some serious athletic people, and then there are people like me who probably couldn’t even bench press the bar. There’s still a place for me there, though! I love to ride the bikes, play wallyball or racquetball with friends, play some ping pong (OK, maybe that’s not a workout, but it’s still really intense), or, my personal favorite, the Bearobics activities. By signing up for the group exercise plan, I have access to yoga, pilates, zumba, boot camps, cycling and more. This is a great way to keep myself healthy and busy, and it’s super fun to do with friends.
5. Get off campus for a while.
Sometimes, reality can seem to fade away while living on campus. I sometimes notice that I almost never see anyone over the age of 20 except for my professors, and it really throws me off sometimes. Occasionally, I just need a dose of normality. Getting off campus is a great way to be reminded that the real world is still out there. Also, Waco has so much to offer. It’s a rich community with tons of things to do, places to see and food to eat (we’ve been over the food before, but obviously it’s very important to me…yum). Cameron Park is a great place to be active and get some good rays. There’s some great shopping out in town, too. Also, Waco has some really incredible ministry opportunities. They’re very eager to have college students helping, too. It’s a really great way to give back to this community for providing such a great home for our great school.
6. Get Involved!
People hammer this last point so much (especially to freshman), but it honestly is a great way to make new friends and keep occupied. Baylor offers so many different clubs and organizations. There is a place for everyone here. And not just a place — a home — a loving, welcoming and exciting home. There’s swing dancing, ministry, Greek life, cultural groups, intramurals and many more. I went through the recruitment process, and I was initiated into Chi Omega last night. The friendships I have made and the opportunities that I have been given through this group has been so valuable to my freshman year.
In summary, some of my most valuable experiences have happened when I did not want to leave my dorm, but I did it anyway. Sometimes being a freshman is scary and intimidating, but when I’ve put myself out there, I’ve realized that this is one of the most encouraging and exciting places to go through my four years of college. Yes, I will still have the occasional day where I will stay in and watch 10 episodes of “Gossip Girl” on Netflix when I really need it, but nothing trumps the good times with good friends at this great place.