On the run-up to exams we are all feeling stressed and down, and often going out drinking can make things worse due to hangovers and procrastinating. Alternatives to going out are shown below, which can help you and your flatmates or housemates to de-stress, socialise and have fun – even when exams are looming!
1. Have a movie night
Pick one of your flatmate’s rooms (preferably a reasonably clean one) and bring all of your duvets and pillows in, make a hot drink, get cosy and watch a film! Or you could head down to Vue Cinema in Lancaster town, where everyone has a set rate in ticket prices. Instead, you could sign up to the ‘Lancaster University Film Society’ where they play films every Tuesday night at the Take 2 Cinema in Bowland, for just £1 a term! Join their Facebook page for more info!
(image from blogspot)
2. Get a takeaway
Every once and a while, as a flat, we buy Chinese or pizza and sit together and have a chat. It’s a nice change because often we end up having tea at different times and don’t see much of each other, except on weekends when we go on nights out! Many takeaways in Lancaster accept student discount if you have a purple card, such as Wok Inn, and you get 10% off your order with them!
(image from express.co.uk)
3. Get an on-campus meal
There are plenty of places to eat on-campus with your flatmates, such as the Wibbly Wobbly Burger Bar that is situated between Pendle and Grizedale colleges, next to Central. The prices vary, but if you want a burger you pay for it separately from your sides like chips, here is the menu if you want to check it out: http://wibblywobblyburgerbar.uk/our-menu/. There are also plenty of other places such as Costa, Sultan’s, Greggs, Subway and more!
(image from lancaster.ac.uk)
4. Drinks at an on-campus bar
Although, it isn’t technically going out it MAY lead to a night out if you have one too many cocktails. At Lancaster University, there is Grizedale bar which do a 2-for-1 deal on a selection of their cocktails all-day-every-day and they do all kinds of other drinks if you’re fancying something other than a cocktail – all at reasonable prices. There is also Grad bar that has more of a pub-feel to it, to have a pint and relax. There are also another seven bars on-campus for you to choose from, as well as plenty in town!
(image from deviantart)
5. Go on a trip
So far, my flat and I have visited Preston, Liverpool and Manchester which are only short train journeys away. Whether it be a day visit or a night out it’s sometimes nice to get away from the university campus for a change of environment. However, on the run-up to exams sometimes a trip away can distract us from our studies, so try not to go too far or for too long.
(image from prestonian.co.uk)
6. Visit a park
It might sound simple but a great place to visit for Lancaster students would be Williamson Park, which is a large country park just outside the main city of Lancaster, which has woodland walks, play areas for children, a domed skyline memorial, a café and coastal views. The address is: Williamson Park, Quernmore Rd, Lancaster LA1 1UX and it is open 9am-5pm! There is even a small park on campus and the woodland walk around the campus too, as well as canal walks nearby.
(image from gateway2thelakes)
These are just some simple ideas to help you get away from the library and keep yourself sane! Good luck with exams and try not to stress too much!