How to kill long gaps between classes

We’ve all been there: staring in disbelief at the taunting blocks of colour on our shiny new semester schedule, only to realise that the worst thing that could possibly happen has happened: mandatory classes early in the morning and late in the afternoon with nothing in between. You frantically email your course co-ordinator or friendly university admin officer, but it’s no use because this is your life now: hours upon hours of mind-numbing waiting. But this fresh new hell doesn’t have to be all bad. Here are a few ways to those hours for something better than an extended nap.

Netflix minus the chill

Been meaning to catch up on the latest season of House of Cards, or couldn’t decide whether to drag yourself to uni or marathon all three Lord of the Rings films (extended edition, of course)? Well, today is your lucky day. Grab yourself a beverage of choice, pick a cosy cushioned spot in one the less populated buildings around campus, and enjoy the time flying past as you immerse yourself in the wonderful world of film and television. Bonus points if you bring your own blanket and popcorn as you attempt to make your university’s best blanket fort. Who said waiting had to boring?

Find fellow sufferers 

You know what they say: misery loves company. It might feel like looking for a needle in a haystack, but once you find yourself a comfortable nook to wait out the fate the universe has cursed you with, you might notice a few people consistently sticking around for an extended period of time — not unlike you. Introduce yourself in a non-awkward way, and you’ve potentially just made a new best friend. There’s just nothing like the misery of a terrible timetable to bring people together.

Bring your hobby to uni

Call me old-fashioned, but I do love a good read not involving the latest Donald Trump shenanigans or Kanye’s latest gift to the world. A long gap gives you the chance to really get your heart ripped out by George R.R. Martin’s most recent character execution, but even if you’re not a reader, the unlimited time the university gods have just given you means that now is the perfect time to squeeze in some leisure activities. Join the uni gym or find a quiet spot to practise your yoga, try and catch ‘em all in the aforementioned cozy nook, or even start an informal improvised miming group. Freedom can be a beautiful thing.

Explore campus

University campuses are usually huge, sprawling opportunities to appease the wanderlust bug and get your exploring on. Pretend you’re Indiana Jones hunting for the best place to get a cheap coffee or where to nap undisturbed by students who don’t have disappointing timetables. You’d be surprised by the amount of neat, private spaces concealed on unused levels. Maybe the top floor of that building nobody really acknowledges might just contain a portal to Narnia and you’re the only one who has time to find it. Godspeed, my friend.

Actually do some work

While not as tempting as eating your way around campus, this chunk of free time in your life might just be the few extra hours you need to get those extra readings or that annotated bibliography done. Use these spare hours to tackle all the work you’ve been ignoring, and you might just have the time to catch up with your mates at the pub this weekend and avoid having to bullshit your way through yet another tutorial debate.  It’s a win-win situation, really.

Shannon Coward

Shannon Coward is a third year Bachelor of Journalism and Bachelor of Arts student at the University of Queensland. She enjoys period dramas, doughnuts and a good nap. 

Image: Beat Tschanz, Flickr Creative Commons license