text: know any ways to keep a mind challenged? i graduated with my bfa degree last spring, and i've realized i kinda miss being in school. not the stress over deadlines, or the few terribly boring classes, mind you. i miss the discussion about new ideas, wrapping my head around a complex concept, or being pushed to form my own opinions about these ideas and concepts. i read a lot, but i want other ways to keep my mind enganged. i'm also looking to start using my affinity for writing, but i don't know where to begin. read everything that you can get your hands on: fiction, non-fiction, highbrow, lowbrow, books, journals, newspapers, magazines. don't just read the highbrow stuff. so much of life comes from less than stellar sources, so embrace it.  as for writing, the best thing to do if you want to write and don't know what to do, or how to begin is start writing a journal, or even better, a notebook and fill it with ordinary events, larger events, interesting words, anecdotes, rants, other people's conversations, doodles and even things you read in magazines or on the back of a shampoo bottle. everyday life can provide tremendous  material for writing.