Ten Things You Can Do Between Classes

1. Catch a tan: We do live in Maui remember, with its annual 276 days of sunshine, so who's to say you need to save the sunbathing for the beach? Bring some beach towels, grab some friends and catch some rays before BIO 100 (although I would suggest saving the Brazilian bikini bottoms for off campus).

2. Check out the Student Lounge: The Student Lounge is already a go-to hang out spot for many UHMC students and for good reasons. The Student Government puts together an impressive venue of events that take place in the Student Lounge all semester long and the lounge itself boasts a video game consul for gamers, places to hook up your laptop, couches for napping and tons of open space to run and scream. Hey, an environment conducive to studying is what the library is for, which brings me to my next "place to-go ". . .

3. Be a square like me... and go to the library: I love the library. Quiet, air conditioned, spacious – the perfect place to do your homework, study, check your email or do research. There are just so many things to do in the library, which is why you will often find me there between classes, reading random books on everything for South American cuisine to cults (I have a broad range of interests and the Library supports that). I also like to look at their extensive DVD collection and rummage through 2-year old editions of Cosmo.  Like I said . . .so many options.

4. Investigate The Learning Center: I had to get a job at The Learning Center to realize all the fun stuff they have going on in there. TLC is like the hidden jewel of UHMC, a place of magic where you can become smarter, get better grades and make new friends. "What!?" you exclaim, "Why have I not heard of this before?" Well, you see, you can go down to the elusive Learning Center and get tutoring for a myriad of subjects and use their brain-enhancing materials FOR FREE!!! If you have some free time between classes, improve your typing speed with Mavis Beacon, or improve your reading speed with Ultimate Speed Reader. There are other programs as well to help with math skills, English skills and more.  And you though TLC was just for Compass Testing . . .

5. Meditate.  You could do it in a hidden nook in the Library, an empty hallway, behind a building, your car in the parking lot, a quiet bathroom stall. I love to do it anywhere really. Hey, I'm talking about meditating here! Not the other method of relieving stress. God . . .

6. Break a sweat: If sitting on your ass between classes just isn't your style, there are several options to help you burn off steam the old fashioned way. The Wellness Center offers tons of fun classes from Power Boxing to Zumba all week long.  After lunch, take a 12:30 Pilates class. Waiting for that night class? Take a 5:00 Freestyle Core Training class with Brian! Find the full schedule of classes on the Wellness Center page of the UHMC website. You one of those surfer types? Lucky for you, fall makes for prime surfing conditions at the nearby harbor.  Then there is Keopuolani Park, super close to the school and perfect for running or walking with friends.

7. Shop till you uh . . . have to get to class: They say there is no better therapy than retail therapy and lucky for UHMC students, we have the premier shopping destination only a hop, skip and a jump away (or. . . across the street). It takes literally a couple minutes walk from the brain-busting confounds of your math class to the gleaming, pearly gates of a shoppers heaven. Every Mauian knows what is at the Ka'ahumanu Mall and what isn't (RIP Borders Express) so I will not list the shops and eateries, but I will say that the Chicken Katsu Curry at the Ramen-Ya is not to be missed. And that the margaritas at Fernando's, while arguably man's finest creation, are better left for the weekend.

8. Eat at the Piilina Food Court: Yeah, yeah, yeah who hasn't gone to the Piilina building for lunch, coffee, a snack or to just hang out and gawk at the hardworking culinary students, but it is worth mentioning as a fun thing to do between classes, because it is fun. It took me several semesters to actually have free time available at lunchtime and I have been surprised and bewildered at the amount of students and faculty hustling around in there at peak hours. I am also in wonder at the food options available in that place, as well as the affordability. Do I want a burger today? Hmmm, no I think I want a bowl of soup and a salad? What are the day's specials? Maybe I want rack of lamb and a lobster tail! (edit: Visit the upstairs Class Act restaurant for gourmet food options. While high quality, the Piilina Food Court does not serve rack of lamb or lobster tail on a regular basis, or any basis. You're a student, not the King of England. . .).

9. Bother your teachers: You know your teachers have office hours, and you also know that their life's aspiration is to serve you, so why don't you stop by for your 30 minutes to 3 hours of free time and have a quick chat. You may have some lingering questions regarding the syllabus (yes, the one they explained in lengthy detail at the beginning of the semester but hey, you were too busy checking out the cute boy doodling across the room) or you could just check in and talk story. Ponder life's meaningful questions, discuss views on the upcoming election or simply find out which Kardashian they prefer. Stop by and give ‘em hell about that out-of-nowhere essay due tomorrow, because we all know that your teachers don't get enough of your crap already in class.

10. Find Love: Or, perhaps, let love find you. Whether you are seventeen or seventy, the UHMC campus is chock full of potential mates. The student body is growing every year, which means more pretty wahines to hit on during Communications class and hot surfer dudes to open the door of the Paina building for you. While you cannot plan love, there are some hot spots where the boy/girl of your dreams just may be: chillin' in the student lounge (think rascally, fresh-out-of-high school types) working their butt off in the library (nursing students) or in the Paina building eating with friends. While these are the destinations the average students do seem to collect and congregate, love sometimes hides in the most unexpected of places. You can never prepare for that random collision with your soul mate, whether it is by attending that time management workshop at TLC that sounded interesting, or deciding to take that class that in no way helps towards your degree. So go forth UHMC students and fall in love, I highly recommend it.