Some people see the immoderate amount of time I spend lounging, or going on long walks or exploring the city, or just sitting and watching four or five movies at a time and, understandably, label me a lazy time-waster. But I do not see it like this.

In fact, I loathe waste, and I hate inefficiency even more. So I drink water straight from the faucet if I just want a sip.

And instead of wasting money, effort, and calories on spreading peanut butter and jelly over (superfluous) bread, I just plop some jam into the peanut butter jar, and eat the globs straight from there. I think this is brilliant—my roommates say it’s why I’m still single.

We’ve heard it all before: The days may be long but a life is short, so don’t waste time. I agree!

Why waste all day trudging through homework, making myself feel oh-so-studious, when I could jaunt through it in a few hours and spend the rest of the day happily lollygagging?

Indeed, what we sometimes think of as “procrastination” and “waste” can actually be turned into glorious opportunities to rest and rejuvenate.

It can be time that ,in the long run, encourages higher quality productivity in our work. We are whole people after all, not just intellectuals.

Midterms are here and some crazy things are going down. Take some time to out of your busy schedule and “waste” it wisely. Here are some suggestions:

1. Incorporate into your Hulu/Youtube/Netflix binges a mindless task that produces a tangible result.

For example, I knit. A couple seasons into a certain television show and, though I’ve spent hours just sitting staring at a computer monitor, I also end up with a lovely scarf.

This is great for overachieving Ivy-leaguers who have a constant need to feel productive.

2. Decorate or re-decorate your room. Emotional benefits abound.

3. Move.

4. Break for afternoon tea. Get dressed up. Invite friends or suitemates. Speak in affected tones and airs. Consider wearing elbow-length gloves. This should only take 20 minutes.

5. Spend a long time (i.e. more than 5 minutes) preparing dinner. Spend an even longer amount of time eating it.

This can be done alone or with friends, but should be done sitting down at some table-like structure. Music is good. Open LCD screens are not.

6. Watch the sunset over the Hudson. Remind yourself that we live on an island and are surrounded by water and a big wide world and beautiful nature-y things.

7. Watch something “educational” that just happens to be absurdly entertaining. Like TED Talks, or Downton Abbey. (Granny Violet is my homegirl.)

8. Go to student/on-campus events. They are fun. They don’t require much energy. They are generally cheap and rarely last more than an hour or so.

And they will make you happy, because you will probably score some free food and have a good time, all while supporting your peers and feeling like you’ve contributed to or been a part of something on campus.

You might meet someone new, and you’ll probably learn something, too. This is a win however you look at it.

In the end, the best advice I can give you is this: when you waste time with other people it is never time wasted.

Caroline Blosser is a Senior. She is an Ancient History major. So she is also looking for a job .