For students, leisurely activities are often overlooked because many people feel they cannot afford to have a bit of fun. Being a student is stressful, and it is important to remember to take it easy and relax every once in a while.
Attending your favorite band’s live performance or going to see the latest action movie may seem a bit out of your price range. But there are ways that you can save money, and some of these four activities can be done without paying a single dime at all.
Host Weekly Online Game Nights
As long as you have a computer and internet connection, the type of game you play doesn’t really matter. After all, as a student, you will have all the equipment you need to play with friends online. Take turns to play each other’s preferred games or even try something completely new to everyone. You can chill in the comfort of your home wearing pajamas and battle each other to see who is the best at role-playing games or first-person shooters. Alternatively, host a general knowledge or trivia game night and test your intellect between friends.
One of the easiest online game nights for people who aren’t familiar with consoles or PCs is online casinos. The games are simple and you learn the mechanics very quickly, plus you can bet as little as 50 cents. The options are vast, and you can play the slots, online poker, or even sports betting. Up until recently, online sports betting was restricted in many states like Colorado. Based on the research they conducted, BonusFinder has sourced legitimate US casinos and online sports betting platforms in Colorado and elsewhere, which will make your weekly online game nights something to remember.
Movie Marathon
There are so many amazing movies with storylines that extend five or more separate flicks. As a student, you probably have some friends that are in the same boat when it comes to saving money. Make a deal that everyone rents one of the movies out of the sequels, and then go back to someone’s house and settle in for the night. If you love movie marathons such as Star Wars or Lord of the Rings, you can keep yourself entertained for an entire weekend.
Movie marathons are super fun and great when you want a few lazy days to eat nothing but popcorn and lie on the couch all day. Even your movie snacks won’t cost that much if you and your friends all chip in. Make movie marathon weekends a monthly event that you and your friends can look forward to.
Potluck Dinners
Whether you choose to cook with friends or alone, potluck dinners can be delightful ways to discover new recipes. You will be surprised what you can conjure up in the kitchen when you mix an odd assortment of ingredients. Again, get your friends to join in where each person brings one food item from home. Cook up a feast and see what comes out. When you have nothing but a potato and butter in your fridge, potluck dinners with friends can be a way to have a nutritious meal at no extra cost.
Potluck dinners are not just easy ways to spend time with your friends, but it is a cheap and effective way to cook a one-of-a-kind meal. As a student, any money you have is likely going to prescribed textbooks and ramen noodle dinners, so branch out a little bit with this money-saving activity. You can learn about other finance tips as a student that include finding student-specific discounts to different restaurants and entertainment venues.
Get Back to Nature
Picnics used to be a common family activity, but they seem to have lost their spark. Picnics are the ideal way to not spend money at all and you have a variety of choices from outside activities you can enjoy. Feed the wildlife or lay a blanket and look for shapes in the clouds. Being around nature can be a wonderful way to destress as a student and get back to basics. Breathing in fresh air is beneficial to your health physically and mentally.
Make the activity more stimulating and go for a hike to a place that you have never been before. You may even discover a new piece of forest that is hidden away. Most wildlife sanctuaries and hiking trails are free and open to the public. All you need is comfortable shoes; some water and energy bars and you can spend hours strolling through beautiful scenery.
Being a student doesn’t mean that you have to stay indoors all day long reading textbooks and preparing for final year exams. You deserve to take some time off, and with these easy leisure activities, you won’t have to worry about applying for a part-time job just to relax.
