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09 Jan 2020
5 Min Read
Karen Grace Prince (Guest Contributor)
Been itching to stretch your legs for the upcoming semester break?
We all need a recess from our demanding student lives or the stack of never-ending assignments that seem to pile up on our desks.
Not to worry! Here are some fruitful activities you can indulge in during your semester break without incurring heavy monetary losses.
Pick a couple of movies, heat up some microwaveable popcorn, load up those soft drinks and get comfy for the long haul!
This is a super easy and fun way to get together and catch up with friends without having to worry about budget. It beats the cinema experience by a long shot because best part is there's always a pause button for intermission periods and quick toilet runs! You can also spice up your experience by adding commentary or creating mini games related to the film of your choice (e.g. say your movie pick is Finding Nemo, you can all place bets on the number of times Marlin asks where his son is, with the winning guess earning a special prize.)
Did you know Taylor’s has their Movie Room on campus?
It’s the complete theatre experience with soft cushion chairs, dark room projection and full-air conditioning. Best of all, it’s totally free! So head on over to Theatrette at the library for a quick movie session during your breaks!
Don’t fancy staying away from home too long? Take a day trip to a nearby destination with only the worry of transportation and food fees!
We’re fortunate enough to be surrounded by an archipelago of islands and tourist destinations so there’s always the opportunity to pick up our necessities and go on an impromptu trip without too much worry.
Did we also mention there are multiple public transport options and taxi services ready to transport you to any destination of your choice? You can scout your transport choices using the ‘Plan My Journey’ option on myrapid or use the trusty Grab services if physical journeys aren’t your thing.
What’s special about impromptu trips anyway? Well, the thrill of impromptu day trips stands on the unexpected experiences we’ll get to have. There’s no stress about sticking to schedule, scouting hotels/AirBnBs or having to book any tickets early. Not only do you get to spend the day with ease but both, your frame of mind and your purse strings, take a breather as well. Plus, there’s always the sweet, sweet comfort of coming home to your bed at the end of the day.
I know what you’re thinking, “Does this actually count as an activity?”
Yes it does!
Most of the time we delay our tendencies to organise our closet space, putting it off with excuses like “I'll do it later” or “I don’t have the time right now.”
Well, guess what? Now’s the time to get to it! Cleaning and clearing out your clothes can be quite therapeutic, as it offers a sense of accomplishment and we feel a bit more in control of our hectic lives.
Interestingly enough, according to Psychology Today, cleaning your rooms or closets tends to reap higher health benefits and essentially reduces clutter in our lives, both mentally and physically. You can also choose to amplify this monotonous task by cranking up your Spotify playlist and practising those non-existent dancing skills because there’s nothing some good tunes can’t fix.
To conquering our mountains, one clothes pile at a time!
Ain’t no mountain high enough, ain’t no valley low enough, ain’t no river wiiiiide enou- OOPS!
Sorry, nearly drowned in that musical number! Anyways, we live smack dab in the center of some of the greatest rainforests and hiking zones so we might as well make the most of it.
While some of us may not usually partake in recreational activities such as hiking, it’s a good way to get one with nature without heavy commitment. Regardless if you’re a nature freak or allergic to hauling your body outside too long, rest assured you’ll at least have tried out something different as opposed to your daily life.
Whether it’s scaling the forest trail at Bukit Gasing Recreational Park or catching the morning sunrise at Broga Hill, the experience is fulfilling and worth the toil. Not to mention you would burn some calories and get great shots for the ‘gram!
Just remember to bring a lot a bottle of mosquito spray.
You’d be surprised how many buildings in Malaysia are now caked with murals depicting a variety of vivid, colourful scenes!
Brought to life by gifted artists, some murals convey deep meanings behind life-sized images while others serve as vibrant and unique eye candy. You can catch some of these hidden gems up at Kwai Chai Hong @ Petaling Street or catch the Art Trail up west at Old Town Ipoh.
There’s nothing more fulfilling than a treat to the eyes! What are you waiting for? Get yourself decked up for some aesthetic shots or bask amidst the visual ecstasy on display around the area!
Among other unique traits, Malaysia has been famously dubbed as one of the best existing ‘food havens’ (more like food heaven) around Southeast Asia. And if that doesn't convince you to go on a food adventure already, then rest assured we will at least get you interested in going on one!
Now here’s why - the Malaysian platter is a melting pot of combined delicacies from various unique cuisines, much like Malaysian culture itself!
We value our food and ‘makan’ time very much, hence this is channelled into our dishes that exist to satiate our cravings and leave us begging for seconds! No matter which state or city you enter, there’s always some different or intriguing dishes just waiting to be devoured. Just another way to explore Malaysian culture through the comfort of your stomach and taste buds!
Most government-funded monuments or institutions offer free or relatively affordable admission. If you usually indulge or are tolerable to arts and historical artefacts, we suggest hitting up your local museum or gallery for the fun of it.
It’s a great way to immerse yourself in the culture with barely any ‘cha-ching’ to go with it. Support local artists or curators and learn more about this country and the rich history on display at these institutions.
Who knows, you could possibly unearth a hidden love for arts and culture with these experiences!
Aaaah, this is probably everyone’s favourite activity for the downtime, the good ol’ catch-up on all the new content we’ve missed on Netflix (or any other streaming service).
Give in to your inner couch potato and settle down with a series or movie to binge the day or/and night away. Have no shame! It’s always good to invest time on self-care and comfort.
Just because your friends or peers are living it up somewhere fancy doesn’t mean you need to do the same! Remember, you have the responsibility of protecting your wallet and keeping those coins inside. Rest easy my friends, ‘cos there ain’t nothing wrong with lounging on your bed with some tailor-made entertainment to feast your eyes upon.
And there ya have it! A simple 8-choice guide on how to spend your time more productively without forking over those notes (and silently crying inside). Keep in mind that the semester break is not about keeping your schedule constantly occupied or packed but instead about trying something new and/or doing what makes you feel comfortable. And in the process you could unearth a talent or passion you never knew you had!
Lastly remember to rest up, drink loads of water (very important!), and have a great time after all the hardwork and effort you’ve toiled this semester!
We’ll see you back here on campus again soon :)
Karen Grace Prince is a student of Bachelor of Mass Communication (Honours). She is also an Events Committee Member for Taylor's Model United Nations.
