Metro rides can be long and boring, especially after a long day, but they don’t have to be. Throughout my journey at IE, I have learned how to make metro rides not only less boring, but even enjoyable. I will share with you my secrets to capture the beauty of it all. It begins with the ability to romanticize the metro and to view it as a break from everything else. Instead of looking at it from the usual perspective, I want you to go beyond and think of it as an experience that can help you relieve your stress. There are four tips you can follow to achieve this more effectively.
1. Earplugs
Carry your earplugs at all times – they will be your best friend. As a student, you may have to take the metro on a daily basis. Make sure to prepare for the journeys and have a lot of music available, otherwise you will repeat your playlists over and over again. If you are a Spotify user, I recommend you download the “Weekly Discovery” playlist created for you by Spotify. This is a way to find new music every week that caters to your taste. I suggest you listen to it every Monday, so you have something to look forward to as the weekends fly by and the beginning of the week approaches.
2. Books
If you are an avid reader, take a book with you! You will be surprised by how many pages you will flip through, and you will likely arrive at your destination before you realize it. Make sure to take a bookmark with you, so you know where you left your reading at and can immediately continue when you are ready. Look up from time to time, as I do not want you to go past your stop! Finally, be careful because as you immerse yourself in the reading, you might find yourself wanting to continue as you walk through the station.
3. People-watching
Look around! While this may seem weird at first, take a minute to look around the metro, as you never know what surprises you will find. You may see a familiar face and can find a buddy to go with on the rest of the trip. You may see a performer and enjoy some unique live music. You never know what you will encounter, but I want you to embrace it and take a minute to enjoy it.
4. Make a change
The last and best tip I can give you is to disrupt the routine. If you take the metro to IE and back home on a daily basis, it is likely that you know the route by heart and you go through it almost automatically without really experiencing it.
If you have time, I advise you get off at a station that is not the nearest to your home or the university and walk from there. This is a way to clear your head, to get some exercise in, and most importantly, to learn more about the city. Make a special effort to look around and spot new restaurants, cafes, stores or whatever it is that may interest you. This is the perfect way to get to know the city and to discover new awesome spots to make your student life more entertaining.
Remember that boring metro rides are a decision, not a certainty. I encourage you to follow these tips so you can make the most out of your experience and live with as much excitement as you can.
