Category: Anaya W.

As high achieving college students, we often put a lot of pressure on ourselves. To be brilliant at everything we try, be a caring friend, a well rounded student, and have interesting hobbies as well. For a long time, I dreaded the question, “So, what are your hobbies?” because honestly, I didn’t know what to say. Between classes, internships, and everything in between, I barely had time, let alone pursue something “fun.” But here’s what I’ve learned: hobbies don’t have to be impressive or productive. They don’t have to turn into side hustles or perfectly curated Instagram posts. They can be small things that make you feel a little lighter, calmer, or more like yourself.

Here are some things I have taken time to do recently, that have slowed me down and brought me joy.

1. Painting
   My roommate brought a set of water color paints to school this semester. One afternoon, I joined her while she sketched. I looked to Pinterest for inspiration, and began to draw and paint. I found myself feeling a little calmer after, and the hour without a device seemed to slow time down a little. Now, my wall is slowly filling with pieces of art that symbolise moments in time, each one holding a different memory of a burst of creativity.
2. Lego
   Recently, I also got gifted a set of Lego flowers. Similarly to the painting, one afternoon I found myself exhausted from a long day, and craving a bit of calmness. So, I put on my Olivia Dean playlist and I built a couple of the lego flowers. I think something about the tactile feeling of doing a task and building one piece at a time is really relaxing.
3. Reading
   I love to read. But I always find ways to validate the voice in my head that says I don’t have time to read. Recently at the airport, I bought a book before a flight. Not a “classic” or a “bestseller”– just a book that caught my eye. I read half there, and half on the way back. Now, I have a book on my bedside table, ready to go for when I have just a moment to read a chapter or two.
4. Walking
   Though the weather is gloomy and grey, getting outside always shifts my mood. In fact, most days I choose to walk down Comm Ave instead of taking transport, even when it’s miserable. On weekends, a long walk on the esplanade, or a stroll after picking up a coffee or even going out of state for a hike, are ways I stay active that are actually enjoyable to me.
5. Cooking
6. Living off campus, I thought cooking would slowly but surely turn into a chore. But after two months, I can confidently say that hasn’t been the case for me. As a foodie, I am never satisfied with a cup ramen meal for dinner, and so I’ve actively made time in my schedule to make sure I can cook meals. Wednesdays are my favorite day of the week, because I have a long afternoon break, where I typically make dinner for my roommates that reminds me of home. I take the time to buy ingredients, and make something new each week like my favorite Asian curry or Indian dish. It’s a small ritual that reminds me of home and is made more meaningful because I get to share it with others.

We’re often our own harshest critics. We want to do everything, be everything, and still somehow stay balanced. We can continue to be dedicated, tenacious students, and still find time to build a Lego flower a day. Joining 3 clubs doesn’t mean you wouldn’t have time to read 15 minutes of a book before bed. Having early morning classes doesn’t stop you from walking to them.

Our lives are made up of little pockets of joy. We just have to notice them. And if you don’t have a hobby right now that brings you joy, that’s okay too. Keep exploring, keep trying new things, and remember: hobbies aren’t checkboxes. They’re just small ways of caring for yourself.

By: Anaya Williams

As college students, there can be an urge to spend our extra studying, or engaging in professional experiences that may further our career. I have always engaged in primarily professional clubs and organizations on campus. There can be a pressure to find your niche, hone in on your skills and build towards a career. However, a lot of the core experiences I have had and lessons I have learned have been a result of extracurriculars and pursuing hobbies and interests. 

In my freshman year, I went to the COM lawn for the COM club fair and stumbled upon BUTV. I had always been exposed to news, media and production from my mother, but had never even considered it would be something I would be interested in. I joined the team as a writer just to try out something new. I approached it as a hobby and it grew to be so much more than that. Two years later, I am an associate producer on our live TV show, Good Morning BU as well as our election special United We Vote. This simple passion for writing led to social media work for the show, and then to prompting, field producing and associate producing. I have been so lucky to be surrounded by a team of passionate leaders who have taught me so much and invigorated a love for journalism. It is through this role I became more passionate about political advocacy. It is through this role I learnt how to write on the clock. It is through this role I became a better leader and manager. It is through this role I learnt about camaraderie and teamwork. None of this was part of my plan, but have become some of the most impactful aspects of my college career. 

As students we can often fill the pressure to get involved in as much as we can. As overwhelming as that can be, I believe that that pressure encouraged me to try new things and led to me finding a new passion. It has helped me build skills that complement my major, introducing me to new career opportunities and passions I discovered by choosing to be curious. So to the freshmen that don’t know where to start – just start. Take the leap and walk into the rooms that pique your interest. You may find a whole community waiting for you!

Dear college freshmen, 

Your first big realization will be that home is far. Whether it’s a 30 minute drive, a 4 hours train ride for a 14 hour flight- home is far, because your new life is close. While for some, that’s exciting, for others it’s a looming dread. I am an international student from Singapore, and I too, like many of you, had to pack my bags and move continents to try and figure out how to make a strange new place a home. Given that it takes me give or take 24 hours to get home, I packed wisely- and I will help you pack even better.

1. Pictures 

I know we have phones and iCloud accounts and memories in our hearts, but my favorite part of my room is my wall, stacked with pictures of the places I love, the food I miss and the people I care about. While you build something new, don’t forget to cherish the old, and pictures, postcards and mementos are a perfect way to do that. 

2. Your favorite snacks, obviously 

When I first moved to college, I was inundated with all the options of food and snacks I had never tried and went crazy trying it all! But then, one day I was sick and I wanted nothing more than my mum’s tomato soup. Another day I was craving the spicy indian food made by my grandmother and the granola we always had at home or the pineapple tarts I ate around Chinese New Year. Now some things CANNOT be brought across continents, but this semester, I brought with me a few of my favorite flavors that reminded me of home, and urge you to do the same.

3. Knick knacks and trinkets 

Decorating a new room can be very exciting, but it can also be a weird feeling to be sleeping on unfamiliar sheets and waking up seeing the typical college dorm furniture. I would recommend bringing a few small things that serve to make your room feel more like it did at home. Whether that’s an object from your travels or a token you received at graduation, bring the little things that make you, you. And, when people come to your room, they make for great stories! 

4. Cozy things that make you comfortable 

This piece of advice may seem a little silly, because you can easily buy whatever you may need here, but I definitely don’t regret bringing my favorite blanket, the pillow case I have used for years and more than one stuffed animal (they’re sentimental!). If, like me, it’s your first time adjusting to the cold, you may want to feel cozy and protected with items that feel familiar to you. And like everything else in this list, they will always remind you of home. 

5. Medications

This may differ based on where you call home, but personally, I grew up on homeopathy and herbal medicine, and bringing it with me made me feel far more secure when I felt sick. There are so many minor adjustments people don’t talk about like how the names of medications in different countries vary– and when you’re sick you will not want to figure out the difference between Advil, Tylenol, Crocin and Panadol (trust me, I’ve done it). 

This list is absolutely not comprehensive, coming from someone who packed about three suitcases. But, it’s a starting point to get you comfortable enough to begin packing, and I hope it reminds you that you are not alone. BU is special for how much it celebrates international students, and throughout your time here I hope you find communities and people who remind you that your voice and experience is important like I have. 

Feel free to reach out, if you need someone to talk to! anayaw@bu.edu