I had a pretty fixed routine as a freshman: class, lunch at Hopkins Cafe (then FFC), more class, dinner (also at FFC) and hanging out with my friends in McCoy. Although I credit this routine with helping me settle in at Hopkins, sticking to the same thing day in and day out could get mundane. From picnics on the quad to student plays to a bouldering cave, the Homewood Campus has so much to offer!
As a disclaimer, the last thing I want to do is defend the Hopkins Bubble — the tendency for Hopkins students to stick close to campus instead of venturing out into Baltimore. If the Homewood Campus has a lot to offer, Baltimore certainly has more, and I will always recommend getting out there and exploring over sticking to Hopkins. Regardless, if you only have an hour or two between classes or if you’re looking to turn in early for the night, these on-campus recommendations may be just what you need.
Spend some time in the great outdoors
There may not be a true beach on the Homewood Campus, but we certainly have some vast quads and lush greenery. Instead of enjoying our campus only when walking to class, be purposeful about setting aside time to be in nature. One option is to have a picnic on the quad. Whether you decide to pack some snacks for yourself or grab lunch from the dining halls, eating outside with your friends, away from the fluorescent lighting of Hopkins Cafe, is sure to be a highlight of your day.
If you have some more time to spare, you can pick up some lawn games from the Rec Center, including giant Jenga, lawn bowling, corn hole, as well as all sorts of sporting equipment. Gather some friends, and throw your own mini Olympics!
Become a patron of the arts
One thing I love about Hopkins students is just how diverse our interests are. There are so many unbelievably talented arts groups on campus, and I’ve found that watching a concert or a play always brings me out of my school slump. Tickets to these shows are often free or cost only $5-10.
Last year, my roommate and I bought tickets to The Barnstormers’ adaptation of Witness for the Prosecution by Agatha Christie. As a diehard Christie fanatic, I was so excited to see her work come to life, and I was certainly not disappointed. In the past, I’ve also attended stand-up comedy shows, a cappella performances and dance recitals. This year, I’m making plans to see The Nutcracker, performed by the JHU Ballet Company!
Also, just to note, you don’t need to be friends with someone in an a capella or theater group to watch their performances — they’re happy for anyone and everyone to attend!
Frequent the gym, not just the treadmill
An incredible advantage of this college campus is our free gym membership — and I’m not talking about the treadmills or the weight-lifting rooms, although those are great, too. At the Rec Center, you can go bouldering, rock climbing and swimming, amongst a whole heap of other things. You can even book free group classes, including yoga, spinning and F45.
Prior to Hopkins, I never thought I’d be the bouldering type (is there a bouldering type?), but during my sophomore year, my friend group got into it. I ended up really enjoying it and tried to go a few times a week. While I don’t go too often anymore, the point is that you can try all sorts of different activities at the Rec. Some will stick for a while, some for a lot longer, and some not at all — but they’re all ways to get some movement in, try a new activity and hang out with friends.
And that’s what I want to emphasize with this article. Even if you try all of these activities, they are just the things that I enjoy, and they may not be what you enjoy. But, even if you do one of these every couple of weeks, or anything else that you’re excited about, they’ll help to break routine before it sets in. I hope you enjoy your time at Hopkins, and I hope you find some hobbies that do stick.
Yana Mulani is a senior from Dubai, U.A.E. majoring in Economics, English and International Studies. She is a Magazine Editor and a previous Editor-in-Chief for The News-Letter.
