Do you also feel bored when you have free hours between classes?
Many college students in the Philippines say that vacant time is sometimes hard to manage. Some just scroll on their phone until their battery dies. Others sleep and end up missing the next class.
The good news is your vacant time can actually be useful and fun if you know what to do.
In this article, we will share practical ideas on what to do in your vacant time in college that are simple, realistic, and good for you.
We understand this problem very well because we were also students before. That is why you can trust us in giving these tips.
Table of Contents
Here’s 7 things on What to Do in Your Vacant Time in College
1. Use Vacant Time for Study Catch-Up
Sometimes, professors give lessons that are hard to understand right away.
Why not use your free time to review notes or do advance reading? It will make you more ready for the next class.
This is one of the best answers to the question, what to do in your vacant time—because it turns wasted hours into extra learning.
In short:
- What: Reviewing notes or reading lessons in advance.
- Why: According to the Ebbinghaus Forgetting Curve, people forget almost 50% of new information within 1 hour if they don’t review it. Reviewing during vacant time fights this forgetting.[1]
- How: Spend at least 20 minutes re-reading your notes or summarizing them in your own words.
Related: How to Use AI as a Study Partner: With 10 Strategies and Real Examples!
2. Learn a New Skill
Free hours are perfect for learning something new that’s not taught in class.
You can watch short tutorials online, practice a language, or even try coding basics. Learning small skills now may help you in your future career.
In short:
- What: Learn skills like graphic design, coding, or a new language.
- Why: Neuroscientist Donald Hebb explained “neurons that fire together, wire together.” Learning new skills strengthens brain pathways, making you smarter and more adaptable.[2]
- How: Use apps like Duolingo for languages, Canva tutorials for design, or free coding lessons online.
3. Read Something Interesting
Reading is still one of the best ways to grow.
You can read a novel, an inspirational story, or even an article like this one. Reading during vacant time sharpens your mind while also giving you entertainment.
In short:
- What: Read books, stories, or online articles.
- Why: Neuroscientist Gregory Berns found in Emory University studies that reading improves brain connectivity and empathy, even days after reading.[3]
- How: Carry a pocketbook or save online articles to read offline during breaks.
4. Connect with Friends or Classmates
College is not only about academics, it’s also about building relationships.
Talk with your classmates, share experiences, or even join them for snacks. These moments make your college life more memorable.
In short:
- What: Spend time socializing with friends or classmates.
- Why: According to American psychologist Abraham Maslow, love and belonging are basic needs in his Hierarchy of Needs. Friends help lower stress and make you feel supported.[4]
- How: Invite a classmate for snacks, join a student org, or just chat during breaks.
5. Try Productive Hobbies
If you have 1–2 hours, try activities like drawing, journaling, or crocheting.
Some students also use their free time to edit videos or practice digital skills. Imagine turning your vacant time into a chance to grow your talent!
In short:
- What: Practice hobbies that improve creativity and patience.
- Why: Psychologist Mihály Csíkszentmihályi introduced the idea of “Flow”—when you’re so focused on a hobby that time flies, and it makes you happier and more creative.[5]
- How: Bring a sketchpad, notebook, or try hobby apps to practice even in short breaks
6. Rest but Do It Smartly
Yes, it’s okay to rest during vacant hours.
But instead of long naps that make you late for class, try short breaks like a 15-minute power nap, light stretching, or mindful breathing. Your brain will thank you later.
Did you know? NASA scientist Mark Rosekind studied pilots and found that a 26-minute nap improved alertness by 54% and performance by 34%.[6]
In short:
- What: Take short naps or do light relaxation activities.
- Why: Sleep experts like Matthew Walker, author of Why We Sleep, explain that naps help memory and protect brain health.[7]
- How: Set an alarm for 15–20 minutes and nap in a safe, quiet place like the library.
7. Explore Campus or Surroundings
Many students just stay in one spot.
But walking around the campus or nearby bookstore, library, or coffee shop can refresh your mind. Plus, you might discover something new.
In short:
- What: Roam around the campus or nearby safe areas.
- Why: Studies by Stanford University’s Dr. Marily Oppezzo show that walking can boost creativity by up to 60%.[8]
- How: Visit the library, check student org booths, or walk around campus gardens.
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Final Thoughts
Vacant time in college does not have to be boring or wasted. Whether you study, bond with friends, try hobbies, rest wisely, explore, learn new skills, or read—each free hour can make your student life more meaningful.
So next time you ask yourself, “What to do in your vacant time in college?” — you now have simple answers that really work.
And remember, we share these tips not as outsiders, but as people who also lived the same student life. That’s why you can trust our advice.
Reference
- Williams, M. (2024). LibGuides: Study Skills: Memory, Retention & Recall. Libguides.bcit.ca. https://libguides.bcit.ca/studyskills/memory
- Wikipedia Contributors. (2019, October 10). Hebbian theory. Wikipedia; Wikimedia Foundation. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hebbian_theory
- Bergland, C. (2014, January 4). Reading Fiction Improves Brain Connectivity and Function. Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog
- Wikipedia. (2019, February 21). Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. Wikipedia; Wikimedia Foundation. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
- Oppland, M. (2025, March 31). 8 ways to create flow according to Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi. PositivePsychology.com. https://positivepsychology.com/
- Rosekind, Mark R.; Graeber, R. Curtis; Dinges, David F.; Connell, Linda J.; Rountree, Michael S.; Spinweber, Cheryl L.; Gillen, Kelly A. (1 September 1994). “Crew factors in flight operations 9: Effects of planned cockpit rest on crew performance and alertness in long-haul operations“
- Why We Sleep. (2023, September 28). Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Why_We_Sleep
- Wong, M. (2014, April 24). Stanford study finds walking improves creativity. News.stanford.edu. https://news.stanford.edu/stories/
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