Dear Reader,

By the time the weekend rolls around, it can feel like you end up in the same predicament every time. Suddenly it’s Sunday and you’re overwhelmed with the impending doom of another week of classes and work. Whether you suffer from these so-called “Sunday Scaries,” or you don’t, finding ways to effectively utilize your free time can make your college life much more enjoyable. There is no perfect formula for divvying up your time, but what matters is finding moments to do the things you enjoy when you can. 

You shouldn’t leave the fun, leisurely things exclusively for the weekends. So, to allow yourself the occasional free time during the week too, I recommend getting a good amount of chores done on Sundays. Before starting your homework or sitting on the couch to binge “New Girl” for the fourth time, put on some music that will make you wiggle around like Elvis Presley performing live and get to work manically cleaning. Catch up on your dirty dishes, sweep the floors and maybe dust up those mutating dust bunnies growing on the windowsills. Having a clean space will make coming back from classes more relaxing. 

One of the perks of being an independent college student is having the freedom to do anything you please with your free time, so don’t waste away all of it by aimlessly scrolling through your phone. Some screen time is perfectly fine, but be conscious of how long you spend on social media. Instead, find new ways to pass the time or revisit some of your favorite hobbies you have neglected from your past. 

Having a creative outlet can help separate your schoolwork from your leisure. You don’t have to be artistically talented to enjoy crafts. Make some paper snowflakes or invest in postage and write letters to friends and family. Nothing is more exciting than receiving physical mail that isn’t just local coupon books. I have recently taken up journaling, but in a less serious form, by pasting papers and objects from the week into a notebook haphazardly with notes. 

For those who don’t have the patience, or simply do not enjoy creative activities, I suggest spending parts of your weekend exploring new areas in Boone County. You might end up somewhere you never would have known about, like BoatHenge, located by Cooper’s Landing along the river in Columbia, where you can see six boats jutting from the ground to resemble Stonehenge. Another option is to expand your free plastic cup collection by trying out local restaurants like Shakespeare’s, Billiard’s and The Heidelberg, which are just a few that give out souvenir cups with their fountain drinks and beverages. 

If you haven’t decided on your favorite coffee shop or study spot yet, make a list of local places and try one every weekend until you find somewhere that sticks. Or try to pick out a favorite portrait on the wall of Sparky’s Homemade Ice Cream while you enjoy a sweet treat. Engage in the occasional retail therapy, in moderation, of course, by going to the mall with some friends or supporting small businesses downtown.

At some point on your Sunday you will inevitably have homework to do, and I don’t recommend neglecting it until the last minute. Pace it out throughout the day or the week. My biggest advice is to not make it the last thing you do before bed. As one last attempt to relax before Monday, engage in some self-care before counting sheep. I recommend reading a book, watching a comfort movie or calling a friend to catch up with their life. Whatever it is, you will feel much better than if you ended up working on assignments late into the night. 

How you decide to spend your time in the end is completely up to you. However, if you ever feel stuck in a rut, give some of these activities a go to make the most out of your Sundays.

So long and take it easy,

Abigail Henshaw

Edited by Ever Cole, ecole@themaneater.com

Copy edited by Emily Rutledge