5 Ways to Find Alone Time in College

Everyone needs "me time" once in a while. Here's how you can get some space to clear your head, call home, or just relax from your hectic college schedule.

So you’re in college now, and you’re loving the high-energy environment and constant exposure to new people and things. You might notice soon that your time, whether it was a couple hours or all day, is no longer spent alone like it was at home. Where did all the “me time” go? Having a roommate, a constant workload, and a lack of private space on campus can make those occasions when you do need some alone time hard to find. So, where can someone go to find it? Read below for five ways you can get space to clear your head, call home, or just relax from your hectic schedule.

1. Plan it out with your roommate

The first step toward finding some “me time” in college is establishing a good relationship with your roommate so that you can each have the room to yourselves once in a while, like when you need to call home or when you just want time to meditate or dance like a maniac to your unconventional musical tastes. Ask what your roommate’s schedule is so that you know when they’ll be in class or at a club activity. You could also talk to them ahead of time if you know you’ll be calling your mom or a friend from home. Just make sure to be courteous because it is their room too. Extend the same favor to them when they ask for it and they’ll likely be more willing to let you have your own time.

2. Take a walk

Sometimes spending time alone in your dorm can’t be arranged, whether it’s because your roommate isn’t agreeable (an unfortunate circumstance!) or your schedules just don’t click. But never underestimate the power of a calming walk around campus. At small schools it’s usually easier to find a local park or quiet tree-lined path, but urban areas work too. Walking around can give you a better idea of what you can do around campus while at the same time give you time to sift through your thoughts and get your healthy steps in. (Pro tip: walk with a buddy the first time you go just to make sure it’s safe, and tell someone where you’re going if you go alone so that your pleasant walk around campus doesn’t turn into a horror story.) 

3. Find a secluded spot on campus

Perhaps on that walk you took around campus (see tip #2) you found a little bench or picnic area and no one was really around. If no one was sitting there when you found it, you might find there's nobody there next time you visit that spot on campus either. Bring a music player or book and that spot can turn into your sanctuary, whether people pass by often or not.

4. Go to a church

Places of worship are usually very welcoming to people who want to use the space to pray or meditate when services aren’t going on. Even if spiritual things aren’t your forte, bring a book or some relaxing music (with headphones, of course). The quiet environment can be a nice place to be by yourself for a few moments.

5. Or a local café

Have you ever been to a coffeehouse and seen those people on their laptops and thought they must be writing a novel or be part of some important blog? Well, bring your laptop and that person can be you—except you can spend time working on homework. (Playing games or checking social media aren’t bad options either.) People won’t know it’s just you getting your “me time.”

How do you find time for yourself with your crazy college schedule? Share your “me-time” strategies in the comments!

Like what you’re reading?

Join the CollegeXpress community! Create a free account and we’ll notify you about new articles, scholarship deadlines, and more.

Join Now

Tags:

About Sabrina Basile

Sabrina’s various scholarly accolades include Permanent Honor Roll status at The Aquinas Institute. She was secretary of her school’s chapter of National Honor Society and has had a couple of her personal poems published in various academic magazines. In her spare time, she can be found coaching soccer, exercising, learning other languages, and indulging in her love of photography.

 

Join our community of
over 5 million students!

CollegeXpress has everything you need to simplify your college search, get connected to schools, and find your perfect fit.

Join CollegeXpress
Alexandra Adriano

Alexandra Adriano

$2,000 Community Service Scholarship Winner, 2016

I've used CollegeXpress quite a bit as a senior, particularly for colleges and scholarships, so it's been a very big asset in that respect! I would recommend it to anyone looking to pursue a college education, especially seniors! This scholarship will help me achieve my goals in ways I couldn't have before, and I know that there are opportunities like that for everyone on the website and in the magazines!

Mataya Mann

Mataya Mann

High School Class of 2022

To say that CollegeXpress is a helpful tool would be an understatement as it is much more than that. Before finding CollegeXpress, all I knew was that I wanted to go to college, it was going to be insanely expensive, and I felt lost. CollegeXpress has given me access to resources such as helpful tips for applications and scholarship [opportunities], and helped guide me in a direction where I feel confident moving forward and pursuing a career. CollegeXpress has helped instill a spark in me that makes me want to continue and supports me in doing so.

Mimi

Mimi

High School Class of 2022

CollegeXpress has provided me with tips that were for college students, but as a high school junior, they were still very useful. Not only that, it also gave me an idea of what to expect when it comes to going to college or already being in college. I want to say thank you to CollegeXpress, and I hope you continue the wonderful tips until I hopefully get into college and throughout my college journey.

Cameron Lee

Cameron Lee

High School Class of 2022

I used CollegeXpress to search for colleges. It helped me narrow down the schools on the West Coast and which schools had Construction Engineering programs. I made my decision to go to OSU and I am so excited about it.

Caio Matos

Caio Matos

High School Class of 2022

Starting the college admissions process as an international student was daunting. Thankfully, CollegeXpress was the first website I used for that cause and it helped me so much, from knowing where to start to deciding what my next move would be. I'll take a gap year, but I’m certainly using the website again when applying for fall 2023.

College Matches
X

Colleges You May Be Interested In

Rowan University

Glassboro, NJ

University of Cincinnati

Cincinnati, OH