Trips In University Life

What to NOT do when planning a trip for students

Students are always busy: doing their assignments, quizzes, and preparing for exams. We get into it so much that sometimes, we forget to enjoy the experience of being at university. For this reason, I must say that one should take time to go out in this busy world and enjoy as much as one can. However, planning a trip is not easy. So let me share my experience and help you plan a great trip!

Don’t: Ask the University’s Administration

In my 4^th semester, our whole class planned to go on a trip after our final exams. For this purpose, we wrote an application to the university administration so they can organize a trip for us but unfortunately, their response in return to our application was cold. This makes sense, the administration’s goal is not to take us on trips.

Do: Plan the Trip with your Classmates

 Later on, our whole class thought why should not arrange our trip at our expense by each person contributing equally. Everyone at first agreed to this but when we started planning for a trip like where to go, for how many days a trip should be, how much money will each person contribute. Just make sure you pick the right person who will take responsibility for the trip. Otherwise, you will never go on a trip.

Don’t: Expect Everyone to Come

Ask anyone if they want to go on a trip and they’ll say: YES! However, in reality, not everyone will come. When we planned a trip, some of our classmates got several issues some had financial issues, some had their parent's restrictions on them and some backed off without explanation. It’s normal because the  

Do: Just Go with your Friends

I know it is not possible for every Pakistani student to drop everything and go on a spontaneous road trip. However, I would say that even if a few people are left, make the effort to go. After all, planning for a trip forever isn’t going to make your trip happen. Plan for a week or so and then go.

These are the tips and tricks I followed when I was planning for my trip during my 4^th semester. In the end, only a handful of people were part of the trip. So, how did it go?

My First Trip Experience

We went to SWAT, KPK, PAKISTAN. We planned to stay there for 4 days and explore different parts of this beautiful city in the Northern area. We contributed equally and did not put any kind of burden on a single person. The good thing was, one of our group mates had his car so we planned to go on it as it would take less expense of traveling rather than to rent a car. We started our journey on weekend in January because snow falling in that period will make our journey more beautiful and more adventurous.

How we began our trip

We decided to start our journey at night, we took turns driving so if one gets tired other will handle the vehicle. Another reason we did this was because of less traffic at night our journey will be less hectic and we will reach in less time at our destination.

Our first stop was the location named Mingora (SWAT). This place has its charm and beauty with mountains around it. Another thing we find interesting out there was their people were so humble and helpful. And its market prices were very reasonable.

After that, we moved on towards MALAM JABBA PEAK (SWAT) as soon as we reached their snow falling was at its peak. Chair lifting was the main purpose we went there. We stayed in one of its resorts and it was very reasonable we decide to stay in one room so we all friends can talk and play indoor games to spend our precious time out there.

The next morning our next destination was one of the most beautiful parts of SWAT named KALAM VALLEY. I can’t explain the kind of nature at that place such a breathtaking place to visit. I highly recommend that once in your lifetime you must visit this place with your family or friends.  

Final Thoughts

As far as I'm concerned and according to my experience of traveling and trips, it provides the student a great opportunity of learning new things, some knowledge about the cultures of our different cities around the corner of Pakistan.

You do not just learn about new places; you also learn to relate with people living out there who look and live very much differently from you. Listening to new languages, eating various types of cuisine is also learning in itself. I often observed that people who travel a lot in life become more adaptable to overcome the challenges and hardships which come in their life. So go ahead and enjoy.