6 Outdoor Challenges Perfect for College Students
College life can be overwhelming and involves many academic and social challenges. This leaves little time for students to go out and explore the world. That said, there are several benefits of going out of the confines of campus and discovering what nature has to offer.
It can help lower stress levels, enhance physical health and creative skills, etc. 
If you are looking for ways to experience the joys of the natural world as a college student, we are here to help. In this article, we will discuss how college students can embrace opportunities for outdoor adventures. So, without further ado, let us dive in.
Schedule Outdoor Time
Students can have a hectic schedule. However, it is important to take some time in a day to go out and engage in outdoor activities. Students also spend much time glued to their phones and laptop screens.
This can be detrimental to their physical and mental health. This is why college students should incorporate going out and exploring nature into their busy schedules. You can gradually incorporate outdoor exploration into your daily routine.
This will not only help you learn better but also provide you with the benefits of engaging with nature. In this regard, college students can also join clubs and forums to participate in outdoor events and activities with like-minded people.
Sticking to a proper timetable is essential to keep you focused and motivated. Therefore, you should always have a strict timetable that you can follow to meet your professional goals. Put everything you need to do or remember on your timetable.
This way, you will not have to keep trying to keep pending assignments or important events on your mind, which will cause you less stress. Also, remember that taking breaks is also important. So, take breaks whenever you feel stressed, tired, or less focused.
If this does not work out, do not hesitate to seek professional help. Being in college and keeping up with assignments, essays, and projects can be a difficult task. It can sometimes even take a toll on your mental health.
This is why students can take professional writing help. Writing Universe is an online platform providing affordable writing services to college students. Whether it is essays, research papers, or any academic text, you can get experts to do the task for you at reasonable rates.
Try Camping
Camping can help you learn resilience, adaptability, and, most importantly, independence. It will have you experience the best of college life with your friends. Initially, you can go camping with your friends at a safe camping site, where you can explore how this activity is done and what it takes to make camping and backpacking a memorable experience.
After learning the basics of camping, you can gradually start camping at more adventurous and challenging locations. It will help you appreciate the wilderness and get closer to nature.
Many things can go wrong during such adventurous events, so it is essential to plan your activity and take all the due precautions. You can prepare for a camping and backpacking activity by considering precautions like weather conditions and keeping crucial equipment that may be required in an emergency.
You can also check with your college authorities if your college has any dedicated outdoor programs that help organize and train students for outdoor activities like camping and backpacking. Such programs have experts who can effectively guide students to have a fun and learning outdoor experience while maintaining their safety.
Explore Nearby Places
If you have just begun or planning to leave your university campus and embrace the outdoors, the best way to start is by exploring local spaces. Whether or not your college already has a park or nature reserves, your city is very likely to have them. Therefore, check out the nearby parks, gardens, and other natural spaces.
If you cannot find them, you can always ask the local people or just hop onto the internet and search for them. You can also refer to google maps and get the precise location with directions you can easily follow and reach your destination.
College students can also go on bike rides and morning or evening walks with their friend groups. This will help them to connect better with the natural world. Additionally, this can be a great opportunity to exercise outdoors and improve physical health.
To develop a deeper understanding of their surroundings, college students can also join clubs and initiatives that promote outdoor events and activities. For instance, most colleges have an environmental club that can help students to discover and explore nature more efficiently.
Explore Water Sports
Engaging in water sports helps students to appreciate water bodies and nature at large. It is also a fun activity to do with your friends or even solo. You can go for paddleboarding, surfing, and other water-based adventure activities. They will help you refresh your mind and focus better on your academics.
Students living close to lakes and rivers can easily go for water sports occasionally. If this is not the case with you, many colleges also have extracurricular programs in which water sports and recreation are involved. They offer students to learn and practice on the college premises in the swimming pool, and once they are ready, they can participate in competitions.
Doing so will help students to learn teamwork and resilience and embrace challenges.
Engage In Environmental Conservation
College students have a social responsibility to conserve the environment.
When they take up projects that promote environmental conservation, they not help contribute towards an important cause but also get to explore nature and learn more about it. It provides them with the opportunity to explore natural spaces and deeply observe them.
Environment preservation activities that students can perform while enjoying outdoors include beach cleanups, tree planting, awareness drives, etc.
Students passionate about nature can join local organizations working on the grassroots level to spread awareness, prevent climate change and conserve forests and wildlife. This will serve as a great opportunity for students to closely look at the functioning of these organizations and get involved to contribute towards saving the environment. Additionally, one can start their own club and sustainability initiative to tackle the pressing environmental issues.
Environmental education can have a lot of benefits, from helping students get stable and well-paying jobs to saving the environment for future generations. If you are still not convinced of why environmental education can benefit students, you may find this useful. Such projects help you make a difference in the world and stand for what you believe in, and, at the same time, deepen your connection with nature.
Get Into Photography
Photography is another way in which students can effectively embrace outdoor adventures. This activity can also be educational and help you learn a new skill. While clicking, professional photos need you to have the required photography skills. If you just like taking pictures of landscapes, you don’t need to be a professional.
However, if you want to pursue photography as a career, then you may consider taking up professional courses and classes to master your art.
Nature photography can be a great learning experience for students. It will also help in bringing out your creative side. Clicking pictures of beaches, mountains, flora, fauna, and skies makes you more aware of your surroundings and helps you enhance your knowledge of nature.
Students can also join outdoor photography programs at their university. Moreover, sharing these photographs online on social media platforms can aid in boosting the engagement of the audience and being validated for your craft.
Get Involved With Wildlife Observation
Wildlife observation can involve birdwatching, animal sighting, etc. This helps students to discover plants and animals around them and get to know them better. Many college campuses have luscious green gardens that attract different species of birds and other animals.
Moreover, in these natural spaces, you find various flowering plants, among others. College students can also visit local wildlife sanctuaries and national parks. These places offer guided tours to students to help them better understand the local flora and fauna.
Therefore, wildlife observation can effectively assist college students in engaging with nature and developing a deep connection with natural spaces.
Final Words
Embracing outdoor adventures can help students escape their stressful and busy lifestyle and find peace and relaxation. This is especially helpful during exam season when students have added anxiety and stress. Going out and exploring nature can help relax your mind, reduce anxiety levels, and also enhance your concentration.
Nature is a significant part of people’s lives; deeply connecting with it can transform your life for good.
