Beyond the Books: How to Inject Creativity Into Your Student Life
The end of summer is on the horizon, signaling the start of a new season. For many of us, that means back to our routine—back to work, and for some, back to school. But just as the world around us shifts, so do the seasons of our lives. I’m currently in a new one myself as I begin my graduate studies in art. And while I’m thrilled, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a little nervous, too.
Even though I’ve sprinkled in online courses over the years, it's been a while since I was a full-time college student. There’s a big difference between creating for a grade and creating for the sheer joy of it. This week, this blog is for all of you out there in the academic trenches. No matter where you are in your educational journey, remember there's always time to sprinkle in a little creativity. In fact, it can make you an even better student.
As Abbie Misha points out, "Thinking creatively helps students form cross-curricular connections, become better collaborators, and communicate more effectively—strengthening readiness for higher education and beyond." Or as George Couros puts it, "When students use creativity, they own their learning.”
So, whether you’re a high schooler prepping for finals, a college student navigating a new campus, or a lifelong learner taking a class for fun, here are five fun ways to make your study sessions more inspired. Each activity is designed to be low-pressure, high-enjoyment, and grounded in research to help boost your focus, memory, and overall academic flow.
5 Fun Creative Activities for Students
Turn Your Notes Into Doodles: Transform boring notes into sketch notes.
Instead of just writing down information, try drawing simple icons or little sketches to represent key ideas. This taps into your visual memory, making studying more fun and effective. As a bonus, try using different colored pens to color-code sections and give your brain another hook to hang on to.Make Flashcards a Game: Say goodbye to boring definitions.
Create Creative Flashcards by illustrating terms with symbols or metaphors. Studying biology? Turn cells into funny characters. History? Draw a meme to remember a pivotal event. This turns rote memorization into a playful, engaging game.Soundtrack Your Study Session: Create a custom playlist for each subject.
Use calm instrumentals for math, upbeat tunes for brainstorming, or a genre that matches the vibe of what you’re learning. Let the rhythm guide your energy and make your study session feel more like a movie scene.
4. Try 5-Minute Freestyle Journaling: Free your mind. Write.
Before you dive into your homework, grab a notebook and write whatever comes to mind for five minutes. No rules, no structure, no judgment. This quick mind dump clears out mental clutter and helps you focus on the task ahead. Try a simple prompt like: “Today I want to feel…”
5. Capture One Beautiful Thing: See with joy.
At the end of a long day of classes, take a moment to notice and document one beautiful or curious thing. You could take a photo, a quick sketch, or write a single line of poetry. This small ritual is a form of mindfulness that helps train your brain to notice joy, even during the most stressful academic seasons.
While this blog is geared toward students, anyone can use these activities to bring a little more creativity into their daily lives. Give one a try and let us know what you create! Share it in the comments below or tag us on Instagram.
“Creativity now is as important in education as literacy, and we should treat it with the same status”