What better time to return to bad habits than the end of the semester? This sentiment emerges in my mind as I sit on my couch with heavy eyes at 3 a.m. For many, the constant debate of which aspect of our livelihood to sacrifice is a survival tactic. Will it be sleep? Social life? Academic wellbeing? One has to go, and with it, our sanity. When large blocks of time are dedicated to relentless aims at productivity, it is important to take breaks to prevent burnout, fatigue, and resentment.
You’ve heard it before: Take a walk, get some fresh air. Sure, that advice is often meaningless. But let me guide you through an itinerary of strolls and destinations, and perhaps we will make it through finals season (mostly) unscathed.
Although walking may not be the first activity that comes to mind on a rainy day, it brings me back to one of the most peaceful moments I have experienced at Oberlin. One spring morning when the clouds were only vaguely looming, I wemt to the Arb creek I shifted my gaze to my reflection in the water to think about the stress that created the wrinkles on my forehead, and the grim expression my resting face had fallen into. Just then, raindrops fell and dispersed any details I could overanalyze.
I had no umbrella, but before I could get up to make my way back home, I realized that I was situated in a perfect spot under a canopy of leaves and branches that kept me dry. For the next hour, I was in some sort of utopia — a safe haven in which my mind became quiet and time halted. The next time that you are in the Arb, listen to the sounds of the rain. Notice the permeating stillness.
But if you would rather rewind the clock than stop it, consider making your way to the playground at Park Street Park. The next time you are frustrated with reading the same sentence over and over again at Slow Train Cafe, stand up for a moment and walk on over. Sit on one of the swings, and let your legs push you off the ground. Lean back and face the sky. Ask yourself: When was the last time I let myself feel dizzy? Feel okay in losing a sense of control for a second, and then look back toward the ground to remind yourself that you have support to return to.
Within a college culture that rewards strict organization and a list of heavily-researched references for each topic you were initially passionate about, there is value in engaging with physical media that serves no academic purpose. Take a walk between the shelves in Mary Church Terrell Main Library, perhaps through a floor you haven’t been to in a while. I encourage you to judge the books by their covers, just this time. Forget looking for their ratings on Goodreads. Skim the first few pages, and if it intrigues you, go to the nearest available chair and read for a while. If they’re rubbish, move on to the next. Remember that reading for fun is not a waste of time, and taking a break from that 40-page jargon-riddled reading for your Psychology class is just fine.
When the stars have taken over the sky, bring a friend to North Fields. Find a spot that feels remote enough from the chaos that often infiltrates Oberlin’s campus, and lie down. Take turns sharing regrets and dreams you thought you had long forgotten. Teach each other a constellation or two, and then create some of your own. Feel as limitless as the stretches of the night sky. Your accomplishments and failures during your brief time here do not define you, so do not let them feel too heavy on your chest.
The last few weeks before summer may move faster than feels manageable, but I urge you to slow down during the process. Be hopeful for the future, but do not be consumed by it. Take a stroll. Let these walks be reminders of the time we have spent getting to know ourselves and the world around us. Pay attention to the little, seemingly insignificant things that keep us steady, and know that everything will turn out alright.
