After a busy week of classes, studying, and other responsibilities, weekends give SNU students a chance to slow down and spend their time in different ways. For some, the weekend means spending time with friends and getting involved on campus. For others, it means catching up on schoolwork, attending church, or simply taking time to rest.
One student who has found a consistent balance between school, relaxation, and campus life is Colton Cummings, a pre-physical therapy student from Yukon, Oklahoma. His weekends usually give him time to do things that are harder to fit into his schedule during the week.
His typical weekend includes hanging out with friends, studying, relaxing, and going to church. While he enjoys being around friends, Cummings also believes that taking time to rest is important after a demanding week.
“It’s definitely nice to see friends, but sometimes it’s God’s calling to get rest, especially after a long week,” Cummings said.
Unlike some students whose routines change after coming to college, Cummings said his weekend habits have stayed mostly the same. He continues to make studying and relaxing a regular part of his weekends, allowing him to stay focused on his schoolwork while also giving himself time to recharge.
Cummings explained that consistency has been important to him since arriving at SNU. “I stay very consistent with my habits, which involve studying and relaxing,” he said.
Although academics remain an important part of his weekend, Cummings has also found ways to become more involved in the SNU community. Attending athletic events has become one of the activities he looks forward to, giving him an opportunity to support his school while spending time with other students.
“Just this last Saturday I went to the football game, and that was fun, especially seeing other students there,” he shared. He also looks forward to basketball season, saying that the games provide another opportunity to enjoy the college experience and support SNU.
Beyond athletic events, Cummings said that building community has also become an important part of his time at SNU. Meeting and connecting with new people, especially in the dorms, has helped make college more than just attending classes.
While Cummings finds a balance between studying, relaxing, and supporting SNU athletics, other students use their weekends in different ways. For Marc Jacques, a junior from Haiti studying pastoral ministry, weekends are also a time to slow down, but his routine includes serving at his church and making time for the people and activities he enjoys.
Jacques said his typical weekend includes serving at his church, going to SNU games, spending time with friends, and getting some much-needed rest. He explained that his weekdays can become busy with classes, work, and other responsibilities, making the weekend an important chance to step back from his regular schedule.
“Weekdays are pretty busy with classes and work, as well as other responsibilities, so the weekends give me a chance to slow down a little,” Jacques stated.
For Jacques, rest is one of the most important parts of his weekend. He said that making time to rest, spend time with God, and do things that refresh him helps him prepare for another busy week.
“It’s not always easy to slow down, especially when there’s a lot going on, but I’ve learned that making time for rest is always worth it,” Jacques said.
Even though weekends can provide a break from the stress of college, Jacques said that schoolwork does not always stop when the week does. Larger projects and assignments can sometimes take up part of his weekend. However, when his workload allows, he uses the extra time to refresh himself before Monday comes around.
Jacques noted that one of the best things about the weekend is having more freedom with his schedule. Instead of having every part of his day planned around classes and other responsibilities, he can decide when to complete his work and make room for activities he enjoys.
“Even if I do have some homework to do on the weekend, at least I can do it at my pace and make time for things I enjoy,” Jacques said.
When the weekend arrives, Jacques especially looks forward to going to church, watching his favorite sports teams, and spending time with friends. These activities give him something to look forward to while also allowing him to stay connected to the people and activities that are important to him.
Although Cummings and Jacques have different weekend routines, both students show how weekends can be more than just time away from classes. Whether it is studying, attending church, supporting SNU athletics, spending time with friends, or simply resting, weekends give students the freedom to find their own way to recharge and prepare for another week of college life.
Photo by: SNU Creative