Mindful Weekend Activities for University Students
What can college students do on the weekends instead of drinking alcohol?
I don’t know about you, but where I went to school (in Wisconsin) all anyone wanted to do was drink. At the time, you couldn’t have convinced me drinking every chance we got was wrong either.
But here’s the thing, I’m a millennial (shoutout ‘96), and I know Gen Z is already drinking less. They aren’t going to clubs and bars nearly as much in North America and the UK.
I believe this is for a variety of reasons, one of them being that alcohol sucks and brings, in my opinion, zero value. It’s also been proven to have not a single health benefit.
So, what can college students do on the weekends instead of booze-drinking?
My 27-year-old self has a few ideas for you that I wish I would’ve done myself.
First, a note about friends: Some of these activities are group activities, and if you want to have a “mindful” night or weekend, it’s important that you invite people who support this. You can’t predict or control everything, of course, but just keep your intentions in mind! Real friends will support you.
Game Night
No, not beer pong or “ride the bus.”
I’m talking about charades, Monopoly, chess, Heads Up, Battleship, Jenga… hell, even Twister (okay, maybe not Twister), but get together with board-game-loving pals for some friendly competition.
Take the focus away from drinking. My favorite memories from college are the ones when I’m laughing, smiling, coherent, and connecting.
Find a Forest
After an exhausting week of textbooks, laptop screens, and lectures, I promise you that your brain is begging for sunlight, even if it’s cold. See if you can find a park, hiking trails, a lake, etc. Get to know your college town in a new way. If you have a “favorite nature spot” or walking path, it’s easier to be consistent and spend more time outside.
Spending time in nature can help you relax your mind and find clarity in stressful situations.
NAMI reports that “access to nature” has been found to improve sleep, reduce stress, increase happiness, reduce negative emotions, promote positive social interactions and even help generate a sense of meaning to life.”
Make Art
If not for the simple joy of it, make art for the memories, for the free decor, or for the gifting possibilities. If you aren’t in the habit of tapping into your inherent creativity, crafting might feel intimidating, but I said “inherent” for a reason. We all have creative capabilities within us.
Here are a few ways you can get creative this weekend:
Repurpose old or thrifted clothes
Paint, draw, or use a coloring book
Make a scrapbook
Try free writing
Start a passion project (maybe in your career field)
Make a PowerPoint on something you’re highly interested in
Collect flowers and dry them
Do pottery
Make a vision board
Visit a Museum
Do a search to find museums, exhibits, and galleries near you.
On your own or with friends, roaming an art exhibit is about as mindful as it gets.
You might learn something or even feel a connection to what you see.
University students, in my opinion, can be easily mentally fatigued when attending classes, working, and not to mention trying to better themselves!
Giving your brain something else to focus on that isn’t studying or intense social relationships will feel … hopefully relaxing!
Plan a Picnic
Having a picnic is low stress and involves snacks, making it a top-tier activity.
You can have one by yourself with a tasty NA beverage, your favorite foods, a book or magazine, music… even YouTube (am I the only one who would watch YouTube at a picnic?).
Or you can invite friends to soak up some sun with you, play games, chat, sip coffee, etc.
Not only is planning an alcohol-free picnic relaxing, but the spread makes for a lovely photoshoot background (if you’re into that sort of thing).
While you’re there, try to stay present in the moment and remember what you’re grateful for in this life. 😊
