As a senior, I know how distracting Netflix can be when it comes time to do homework or study for an exam. I’ve spent three years trying to will myself away from episodes of Friends or Gilmore Girls, but given the choice between Netflix and studying, Netflix always won.
This semester, I’m busier than ever, so I opted to give up Netflix (except I’ll be watching the Gilmore Girls reboot in November, because seriously, how could I miss that?). Now that I’m no longer spending hours on my couch binge-watching Netflix originals, here’s what I’m doing instead:
1. Spending Time Outside
In Minnesota, we only get so many months of warm weather. Until the snow falls, I’m soaking up the sun as long as I can by exploring campus and the surrounding communities of Minneapolis and St. Paul. When I’m on campus, I love to grab an iced coffee from the Surdyk’s Cafe in Northrop and take a minute to relax on the grass in the Mall.
2. Studying on Campus
If you’re looking for a quiet place to study on campus, Walter’s the place! Its beautiful vaulted ceilings make studying there seem a little less like work and a little more like spending the afternoon in a museum. Bonus: there’s a cafe in the basement! I have a punch card at Wise Owl Cafe so I can eventually earn a free drink (it’ll come in handy during finals!).
3. Bulldozing Through my Book List
Giving up Netflix has given me the motivation to finally make a dent in my book list. If I need a break from homework, I’ve taken to cracking open one of the books on my bookshelf instead of pressing ‘Play’ on Orange Is The New Black. It’s satisfying to still feel productive, even when I’ve set my class notes aside.
4. Catching Up With Old Friends
Despite how busy I am, I still value my social life and love meeting up with friends. One of my favorite places to catch up with others is Espresso Royale in Dinkytown. There are always countless students studying at ER, bobbing their heads and tapping their pencils to the killer playlists the baristas play. When you visit, you’ll feel so immersed in the University of Minnesota community that you won’t even miss Stars Hollow.
5. Getting in Shape
I’m saving time by refraining from Netflix, which means I don’t have any excuses to skip out on the rec. The University of Minnesota Rec Center is the biggest student rec center of all campuses in the Big Ten Conference. It’s free to use as a student, and researchers say just 30 minutes of activity a day can have a hugely positive impact on your physical and mental health!
6. Actually Doing my Homework
Without Netflix distracting me, I’ve been procrastinating a lot less! I’ve adopted the mindset that I might as well get my homework done, since my main source of distraction is no longer available to me. It feels great to be able to check off all the items on my to-do list.
7. Cooking Healthy Meals
Although I still grab a pack of Ramen or whip up a good ol’ PB&J sandwich from time to time, the extra time I now have in my evenings has given me incentive to try cooking. My go-to meal is rice or quinoa mixed with chicken and veggies that I sauteed on the stove. Yum!
8. Listening to Audiobooks
The beauty of Netflix is being able to be entertained without putting forth any effort. It’s a lot easier to listen to a story being told than it is to read 100 pages of a book. That’s why I downloaded Audible, an audio book app that allows me to download a book a month at a discounted rate. Now I can breeze through those books on my book list while riding the bus, walking to class, or waiting for my professor to begin lecture.
9. Making Connections on Campus
You know what they say: It’s all about who you know. I highly recommend checking in with your professors during their office hours this semester, because chances are, you’ll bump into them again later in life, and you’ll want them to know who you are and be on your side.
10. Attending Gopher Game Days
I wouldn’t be a Gopher if I didn’t attend Gopher Game Days. There’s something special about waking up on a Saturday morning and dressing in head-to-toe maroon and gold, rocking that foam finger, and doing ‘The Gopher’ in the student section at TCF Bank Stadium. Not everyone gets to enjoy a Big Ten football game from the student section, so try to attend at least one game during your time as an undergrad, if for no other reason than to see the adorable Goldy.
I’d be lying if I said giving up Netflix hasn’t been challenging at times, but ultimately, I’m excited to be able to look back on my senior year and recount memories that don’t involve lying on my bed watching Grey’s Anatomy all weekend. If you wish you had time to try any of these 10 activities, try giving up Netflix for a week and let us know how it goes!