We’ve all been there. You’ve got three essays due next week, a pile of reading to do, you need to call your mum and somehow cobble together a nutritious dinner for tonight. Your to-do list is as long as your arm and yet somehow you still manage to find yourself watching cat videos on the internet.
But what if you decided to head to a university that is surrounded by perfect distractions for doing anything other than studying? Which universities make it easy to slip out of the library and towards something much more fun?
Take a look at our list of the universities that are the best to procrastinate at.
University of Fiji, Fiji
Surrounded by crystal clear waters, white sandy beaches and marine wildlife, the University of Fiji is located on one of the most beautiful islands in the world. Boasting a warm climate all year round, it would be rude to spend all your time cooped up indoors with your books. It would be so much easier to spend a day at the beach, skipping the waves and watching the tropical fish in the water.
The postcard-perfect natural beauty of Fiji is far more appealing than studying, so if you are someone who prefers to do anything other than write essays, consider the University of Fiji.
University of Bordeaux, France
Of course lazing around a beach might not be your thing, so how about a vineyard instead? This is where the University of Bordeaux comes in. Bordeaux is world-renowned for its wine production and high-quality wines.
It’s far more tempting to skip an afternoon of studying and head to a vineyard for an impromptu wine-tasting session. Whether you are a white or a red fan nothing beats strolling through the vineyards sipping a glass of vino, perhaps with a cheeseboard or two. It may not get you the highest grades but it will work wonders for your relaxation levels.
University of British Columbia, Canada
The second you set foot on the campus of the University of British Columbia, you’ll be able to find prime procrastination opportunities left, right and centre. The university is fully immersed in nature, bordered by forests on three sides and the sea on the fourth.
Additionally, students who are fans of either snow sports or water sports will be spoilt for choice with the sea, lakes and mountains surrounding the campus. For those who want something a little less adrenaline-fuelled, just four hours away are the vineyards at Okanagan. Both excellent opportunities to forgo class for the day.
And did we mention the wildlife? Vancouver is known for being one of the best spots for seeing orcas and humpback whales out in the ocean as well as seals and dolphins. On land you will be able to spot bears, chipmunks, wild rabbits and an abundance of wild birds.
University of Delhi, India
There’s one thing that most people think of when you mention India: the food. If you’re a student at the University of Delhi, procrastination in the form of delicious food is particularly easy to fall into. Or at any university in India really.
Food is a huge part of the culture in India so get yourself down to the restaurants and food markets and sample as much of the local cuisine as you can. Indian food is renowned for its variety, so it would be easy to fill many a procrastination session with food.
Another added bonus is that you won't feel spender’s guilt in indulging in a delicious Indian feast as it’s pretty easy to find a good meal for a few rupees.
New York University, USA
New York. The city that never sleeps. And if you end up studying here, you probably won’t sleep much either in an attempt to see as much as you can before you graduate.
First up are the major tourist sites that are always worth ticking off your list, such as the Statue of Liberty, the Brooklyn Bridge, Central Park, the Empire State Building, the Rockefeller Centre and so much more. These could take a few weeks in themselves.
Once you’ve exhausted the list of sights, then there are the art galleries and museums that will take weeks on end to cover. If after all that you’re still looking for ways to procrastinate, head on down to Brooklyn, Soho or the East Village for some of the best shopping in the city.
Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), Malaysia
Located on the stunning northwest coast of Borneo, students at the Universiti Malaysia Sarawak have plenty of natural distractions to avoid getting any work done.
One of the biggest distractions is the opportunity to see orangutans as well as heaps of other wildlife, such as elephants, crocodiles and pythons. Once you’ve done that, sign up for a trek through the rainforest, head on down to one of the beautiful beaches or spend a few hours scuba diving. Nature lovers will not run out of things to do instead of studying.
Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
History and classics buffs should head to Italy if they are looking for plenty of things to distract themselves from studying. Italy is home to the most Unesco World Heritage sites, meaning that you're never too far away from a stunning cathedral or an ancient ruin.
Rome as a city has some of the most impressive of these sites, including the Colosseum, the Historic Centre, Villa Adriana, Villa d’Este and the Vatican City, which is a country in its own right. However, if you’re looking to expand your procrastination even further, why not take day or weekend trips to the rest of Italy? Other beautiful heritage sites that are worth skipping studying for are Pompei, the historic centre of Florence and the Amalfi Coast.
King's College London, London
We couldn't really put together a list of the best universities to procrastinate at, without mentioning London and in particular King’s College London. Situated in the heart of the city, the restaurants, landmarks and parks that are right on your doorstep will seem infinitely more appealing than sitting behind your laptop.
Despite being one of the busiest cities in the world, London has nine huge royal parks as well as hundreds of smaller green spaces where you can waste time strolling around or just laying down on a rare day of sun. But if city hustle and bustle is your preferred method of procrastination, head to the shops on Oxford Street or pick up a tasty treat at one of the capital’s dozens of food markets.
You could spend weeks procrastinating in London and still not cover the whole city.
Read more: The 10 most beautiful universities in Europe
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