When you’re a student, you want to celebrate your newfound freedom. While there are plenty of activities you can do, there are some factors to consider. One of these is money. Money is the one thing that students do not have a lot of. Between buying textbooks and ensuring you have enough groceries to get you through the week, there isn’t much left over for entertainment.
However, this does not mean that your social life should be non-existent. There are plenty of budget-friendly ways to entertain yourself. Let’s have a look at some ideas.
Attend Free Events
Universities and colleges offer all sorts of free events for students. They can range from sports events to poetry nights. With so many options, you’re bound to find something you like. Take advantage of these. So, always keep an eye out for any free events you can attend. Make a night of it and get some friends to join.
Start a New Hobby
Don’t have any hobbies outside of school, university, or college? This is the perfect time to start one (or more). If you have no idea where to start, here are some tips. Start by exploring your existing interests. Think about what you already have an interest in that you can use for this hobby. Have you always wanted to learn photography? You can start with an old camera or even smartphone photography. You’ll be surprised at how much you can do with what you already have.
If you like spending time with others, choose a hobby that you can do with friends. For example, a book club, rock climbing, hiking, etc.
Learn a New Skill or Improve Existing Ones
With little to no money and nowhere to be, you can learn a new skill or improve on one. The skill can be purely for entertainment or something that can help you later on in your career. You could even learn a new language. There are so many free resources online. So, you can learn without spending any money at all.
Start a Side Hustle
If you have a skill or a hobby that has the potential to make you some extra cash, why not use it? This way you can stay entertained and make some extra cash at the same time. Consider content writing, tutoring, voice training, and so forth.
Take Advantage of Student Discounts
There are so many discount apps and websites aimed at students. They offer discounts on everything from textbooks to clothes and even restaurants. Get some friends to enjoy a nice night on the town using these discounts. This way you can split costs and get a discount.
You can also get some discounts that could help you learn a new skill or start a hobby. For example, electronics and computers or professional software. The best part is that you only need your student email address.
Explore the Outdoors
Another budget-friendly entertainment option for students is enjoying the outdoors. Opt to go for a hike or take a stroll outside. Invite some friends to go along with you. You can even plan an outdoor picnic with friends, each bringing some snacks and drinks. This can be a great way to keep yourself entertained on a budget. It is also a great way to boost your mental health, as we all know being a student can be stressful at times.
Online Gaming
Gaming online doesn’t require any cash upfront. The only thing to consider is perhaps internet expenses. Besides, there are plenty of free games to try out in a demo mode, especially if you play slots or table games. This is much like real online casinos that pay real money in the sense you can play the casino games for free. Whichever route you go, gaming can be quite entertaining. On some platforms, there are also free bonuses to claim. So, you could make some money in the process. Use the bonus, and if you are lucky, you can win real money.
Have a Board Game Night
Competitions can make anything more fun. So, why not have a friendly game night? Invite some friends over and whip out your favorite board games. To make sure you accommodate everyone, do a check-in to see which games everyone likes. To make it easier on the pocket, guests can pitch in for snacks. Who knows, this could become a tradition.