Missed Flights & Mountain Hikes: Getting Back on Track Post-Reading Week
Ah, reading week—the glorious break we dream of all year. I’d been counting down to this week off, ready for some mountain air and time to unplug. So, there I was on a laid-back Thursday, thinking I still had two days before my Seattle flight. I was relaxed, packing at my own pace, savouring the pre-trip excitement. Only, as it turned out, my flight wasn’t on Saturday. It was that same day.
Cue the sudden panic, the scramble to rebook, and the realization that I almost missed out on a whole trip just because I couldn’t keep my days straight. Luckily, I got a last-minute seat and made it there in one piece, though slightly rattled.
As much as I would have loved to stay in those mountains forever, reality called me back to campus, back to lectures, assignments, and that mountain of unread emails. For those lucky enough to have taken a trip, the transition might include shaking off a bit of jet lag or returning to a routine after missed flights. And, for others, it’s all about coming down from those last few summits, literal or metaphorical, and getting back into the swing of things. So, how do you transition from treks to textbooks and missed flights to scheduled study breaks?
Bringing the Trekking Mindset Back to Campus
This reading week, I swapped textbooks for hiking trails and spent my days exploring Seattle’s mountains. It was terrific—reaching new peaks, breathing the fresh air, and enjoying the endless views.
Standing at the top, everything felt clear and straightforward, like I could handle anything. Now that I’m back, I want to keep that sense of adventure going, even if it’s just how I tackle school.
As we dive back into the semester, keeping even a bit of movement in our daily routine is like maintaining trail legs for our academic trek. Maybe it’s a quick walk to grab a coffee, a stretch between study sessions, or just letting ourselves look up and take in what’s around us. Moving keeps our minds fresh and our energy up, just like those trails did.
Reclaiming That Outdoor Spirit with Friends
After all that solo hiking, I realized how much I miss doing things outdoors with friends. So, this week, I’ve already grabbed a few friends to join me for a weekend campus “hike”—aka, just a chill walk around UTM’s trails to catch up and keep moving. It’s low-key but keeps the vibes going, and I figure if I can’t be in the mountains, I can still enjoy fresh air and good company without leaving campus.
Catching Up on What I Missed
And can we talk about the serious FOMO from missing all the fun UTM Moves events that took place in the last two weeks? Between the Trick-or-Trek Halloween event and the Bhangra for Wellness dance classes, I missed many good times with you guys. Did anyone drop in? I’d love to hear about it and see if anyone wants to hit up the next event together—it’s time to bring that community vibe back, especially as we head into the semester’s final stretch.
So here’s to bringing a bit of reading week back with us. Who says the adventure must stop because we’re back on campus?
