It's a cliche for a reason: college students are so busy paying for school, textbooks, gas, and Ramen noodles that there's hardly any money left for fun. Maybe you can save enough change for a movie or fast food once in a while, but it's hard to earn enough money working part-time to cover expenses and go out with friends. If you want a break from Netflix, here are some alternatives for your next squad night.
Game Night
A favorite of my friend group: we get together and play any games we have on hand. Cards Against Humanity is a favorite, but we made our own version of the game. Things: Everyone has a piece of paper and pen. The first person gives a category: Things Barbie Yells at Ken When They Fight, Things Disney Princes Do Together, etc. Everyone else writes down their best idea, turning in their papers face down to the first person. The answers are read aloud, and the player on the right of the first person tries to guess who said what thing. When they get it wrong, it moves on to the next player until all things have been guessed. The best part of this game is that you can customize it to your friend group, and it leads to even better answers and inside jokes. We've stayed up until dawn playing it, and it's never the same game twice. Other game suggestions are Munchkin, Gloom, and Tapple.
Awards Banquet
This is a good option for the end of a semester or year. You pick one person to keep everything secret, and you nominate each other for awards or Most Likely Tos. When all the votes are in, you each bring food and have a potluck before the awards are given out. This is a great way to bond and hang out before separating over breaks, and if you make physical awards, it's a memento for years to come.
Explore
This one also helps you find new places around town. Whether you go to the woods behind the park or strolling downtown, looking around your city is a great way to get acquainted with areas you may not have encountered before. Also, if you find a playground, you have a place you can go when adulting gets to be a bit much to handle.
Free Museum or Zoo Nights
Many popular locations have days or nights with free admission. This is a good way to get some culture in, dress up, and feel like an actual adult once in a while.
Geocaching
If you're unfamiliar with the popular phenomenon, geocaching is when you use the app to find tiny treasures left behind by other people. You follow the map to find the coordinates, just like a pirate. For more information, check out their website.
Paper Airplane Contest
Who doesn't love being a kid once in a while? Let your competitive nature out for a little bit and see who's plane can go the distance. Bonus points if you watch The Office episode featuring the exact same premise (Season 9, Episode 20).
Art/Craft Night
If you've ever been interested in those adult painting classes where you sip wine and learn to paint something, this is for you. If you have an artist friend that can help out, it's even easier. Just use any craft supplies you have on hand to make something fun. You can even just pile a bunch of crafting stuff on a table and let everyone go crazy, making something they found on Pinterest.
Yard Sale/Swap Night
If you all have stuff you want to get rid of, gather it all together and sell it off! If that's too much effort, just keep it in the group and have a swap party. Anything from clothes to books can be exchanged. Since you're clearing out space and getting something new to you, it's like a mini Christmas!
Work Out
Most schools have a gym for students, the price of which is already in your tuition. Why not use it? Plus, if you go with friends, you can all hate exercising together!
Learn a New Skill
Knitting, a foreign language, sports, a hobby. These are all things that can help pass the time and may even look great on your resume. For example, being able to code is something that is very in demand right now, and Code Academy has free lessons in a large variety of areas. Learning with friends makes it more fun, and you're more likely to stick with it.
