While extracurriculars are a great way to spend your time (and fill up the activities on the common app), sometimes you need something fun to do sans commitment. Next time you have no work (not you, juniors), try one of these DC activities.
- Hike in Rock Creek: Most of us in DC do not take nearly enough advantage of the massive and beautiful forest smack in the middle of our city. Rock Creek has 32 miles of trails. I recommend Pierce Mill, which has a historic site, walking trails, large grassy areas for picnics and more. Western Ridge Trail is great too, and has different degrees of difficulty.
- Bike around your neighborhood: What better way to get out than biking; it’s exercise, you cover ground quickly, and it’s fun! I highly recommend biking through your neighborhood and discovering new places that you might not have been to before. Get a friend to come too and it’s the perfect way to spend an afternoon. You don’t need a destination, however I once again recommend Rock Creek as it has many pretty bike trails.
- Boat on the Potomac: This one’s a little more adventurous and less spontaneous; it requires some planning to get to a boathouse. However, if you’re not on crew, I bet you’re rarely rowing on the Potomac so it can be a nice change of pace. Again, take a friend to take advantage of DC’s nature, and if you want a more classic DC view with the monuments, try the Tidal Basin.
- Metro around DC: Finally, if you have no will to be active, try metroing around DC. Like it or not, DC has an extensive and usable public transport system, and as students you literally have unlimited free rides. Explore our city! Bring a friend and go shopping, you decide. Us without licenses, we’re in it together. The metro and buses also always have great people-watching as an added bonus.
In the end, you don’t need to take any of this advice, you could just go on Instagram again instead of doing your APUSH notes. Or, you know, join an extracurricular. I’m sure you’ll find something to do with this handy spread you’re reading right now.
