Class. Library. Gym. Home. Rinse. Repeat.
For many of us, college is the period of our lives during which we will have the most access to an expansive range of sidequests and activities. In a single day, you could attend an open mic event, take a salsa class, and paint pottery, all while remaining within a mile of campus. Yet, despite all this wonderful opportunity for lollygagging, we (myself included) still find ourselves confined to the prison that is the “daily routine.”Â
And don’t get me wrong, mastering a routine within the craziness of college is an accomplishment in and of itself. We often want it all — to hit our protein goals, ace our exams, maintain some semblance of a social life, and still hang on to a sleep schedule. However, it isn’t the routines and schedules themselves that are the issues, but—in my opinion—the lack of emphasis we put on diversifying our experiences.
Whether you’re too stressed to look for unique experiences or believe there’s “nothing to do in [insert college town]”, here’s my formal plea to start inserting sidequest time into your weekly schedule. Because, in my opinion, there are truly endless opportunities to try new things and meet people outside the confines of your daily routine.
Whether you’re a seasoned sidequester looking for some inspo or need some motivation to look for new adventures around campus, here are some “out-there” sidequests I’ve completed at UF and a few that are on my personal bucket list!
Sidequests I’ve Completed:
Volunteer as a GatorMUN Staffer
Why spend a weekend studying when you can spend it responding to letters as if you were leading the Italian mafia?
Every spring, UF’s Model United Nations Club, GatorMUN, organizes a conference for high school students across Florida. For one weekend, hundreds of high school students flock to the Reitz to LARP various countries or historical figures that are tasked with solving a range of historical crises and diplomatic issues. The best part is that any UF student, MUN experience or not, can get involved with helping to run the conference!
With no Model UN experience myself, I was a little hesitant to launch myself into this unique diplomatic game. However, what I found was a weekend spent laughing at students’ espionage schemes and meeting people outside my normal business school bubble. All I did was sign up and show up, and now I can confidently say I have a newfound appreciation for the world of MUN and a new story on my list.
Keep an eye on the GatorMUN Instagram (@gatormun) to find out when volunteer registration opens for the January 22–24, 2027 conference!
Audition for a student film
We’ve all watched some terrible movies and criticized the acting. Well, now it’s time to give it a shot yourself!Â
Each semester, there are a variety of avenues to get involved with student films on campus. Last year, I decided to go to an open call, with zero acting experience, because when else in life will I randomly be able to read off a dystopian-romance script to a panel of student directors?
Students advertise casting calls through a variety of sources. One example is @chompicsproductions
Still on My Sidequest Bucket List:
DIY your own print with Alagarto Printmakers Guild
I don’t know about you, but there is nothing I love more than a free, niche craft!Â
After a long study session at the Architecture Library, I discovered that UF has the perfect opportunity for one: Alagarto Printmakers Guild. This organization provides students with the tools and guidance to make their very own prints or stamps at their monthly GBMs. Her Campus print coming soon?
Check out their Instagram @alagarto_printmakers for information on their November GBM!
Free Cooking Class with Field & ForkÂ
My depressing cooking abilities have tied me to prepping the same two meals again and again and again.
What many UF students don’t know is that our very own Field & Fork offers completely free cooking classes each month. Chef Fred Cremo has taught lessons from basics like steaming to more extensive lessons on how to use seasonal produce for tasty dishes. He’ll be hearing from me soon.
Located on the Field & Fork Farm, classes are each month and completely free! Registration for each cooking class opens one week before each class. See their website for more info.
Flying Yoga
Yoga meets aerial acrobatics in RecSports’ $16 Flying Yoga classes! For reference, aerial yoga is typically anywhere from $30 to $50 for a class, so this sidequest is quite the bargain, and one that is most definitely on my bucket list.
Check out the RecSports website for registration dates and additional information!
But what’s the point?
Ultimately, I believe sidequesting is not only a method to break up the day-to-day monotony with a cool story, but also a way to inhabit the present. As we become more comfortable with college, our minds shift to the future and how we can set ourselves up to optimize it.Â
But what about the moment itself? What about pursuing experiences that cause heart-pounding nerves or buzzing curiosity, that force us to meet new people for the sake of learning about their passions? What about experiences that don’t belong on a resume?
A college education is a privilege that gives us not only a curriculum, but a campus ripe with opportunity to grow. So please, don’t cheat yourself out of a memory for the sake of Google Calendar! LARP the Roman general. Have your acting debut. Learn the new recipe. It’s Sidequest Season!