Preventive Measures For The Summer Brain Rot
Stay occupied with no occupation.
Here at The Bullet, we recently ran an article on things you'd probably do this summer, but we've always been an advocate for making the most out of opportunities. However, we are fully aware that there are a large, silent and bored minority there who have failed to secure a lucrative internship with any notable tech giants or investment firms. So you're probably sitting on your bum wondering “Gee willikers Batman what do I do so I won't drop 10 IQ points by the start of the next semester?”
Well lucky for you, some of us are as incompetent as you and are left on our rear ends wondering the same question. What can you do during the summer break to prevent that intellectually genius level brain of yours from rotting into a piece of White Chinese cabbage (yes interracial cabbage is a thing)?
1) Pick up a new skill
Making it is half the skill, eating is the other.
And no, being able to sleep for 10 hours or more is not considered a skill. We mean pick yourself off your ass and pick up an actual skill. Lifelong learning doesn't need to begin after you've retired, so take this newly found free time to improve yourself. Why not pick something up that's related to your existing interests? If you like to eat, you could learn to cook or bake. nothing tastes as good as chocolate cake, except chocolate cake that you made with your own two hands (unless you only have one hand, or no hands, we're sorry for not considering that). NUS has a multitude of interest groups, so why not look them up?
2) Read a book
Books can be very… enlightening.
Oldie but a Goldie. Which self respecting advice giver wouldn't tell you to go read a book? By book we do not mean a literary turd that advances your brain rot, I'm looking at you 20 hues of White Girl Trash. And by read we mean really read it, analyse it and hey if you're lucky use your brain! Nothing makes you sound more intelligent than actually knowing what you're talking about, and being able to express and discuss your thoughts of the undertones of why she picked Mr. Darcy would definitely bump up your adult conversation game. Not to mention, when the term resumes you’ll still be able to spell correctly in your essays.
3) Pick up a new language
Omelette du fromage?
“Hon hon hon” is the extent of French most that people can muster. However, you are not most people. If you plan to take up a language next semester, get a head start and smash the bell curve when the term recommences. It’s not exactly studying during the holidays if what you’re learning is practical right? On a more ego boosting note, wouldn't it be awesome to be able to properly pronounce “Croissant” and pretentiously explain to someone that adding “le” in front of everything does not make it French? With “free” apps like Duolingo you don't even need to attend a class and do the most despicable holiday activity of all- gasp make new friends?!
4) Make new friends/Meet someone new/Go on a date
Sharing germs, the best way to say nice to meet you.
Obviously for the more socially inclined. The following applies differently to you depending on your currently marital status of course. The feeling of being stuck in a rut and cooped up at home is a terrible sensation. The same can be said about your social well being. Don't allow your social development to stagnate into shouting matches over DOTA or die with your sole companion being a shifty eyed cat who will probably eat you when you're dead, I swear their licks are merely them sussing out which part of you tastes the best. Anyway, there really isn't much difference between learning to read new social cues and solving mathematical puzzles. Meaning, you're shit in both and the processes involve disappointment, despair and dreadful amounts of embarrassment.
5) Volunteer at a pet shelter
This pussy cat licks itself.
So your mum is allergic to dog fur and your dad is afraid of cats. It seems the world is truly against you when it comes to owning a furry one of your own. Well if only there was a way that you could have a furry little devil to look after during the day before going home to your misunderstanding and animal hating parents. In fact there are a number of groups in NUS that are dedicated to look after the strays that live on campus, like this one. They would no doubt make for a great way for animal lovers to experience taking care of animals while at the same time giving these poor strays the much needed care that they need. Not only do pets make great training babies but “Pet Shelter Volunteer” would be an incredible line to add to your under-appreciated Tinder profile.
6) Write silly articles for a shit student website
I quit.
What do you guys do to keep your brains ticking during the summer break? Do you have any stories of bad cases of brain rot? Let us know at thebulletcampus@gmail.com!
