Hey everybody!
I’ve been on a hiatus from the UBC Blog Squad for the last month and I felt inspired late the other night to write a post on cheap fun on campus. I’m a cash-strapped grad student who lives on my own and thus carries a high rent. I work part-time, go to school full-time, and manage chronic health challenges. All this means money is prized beyond measure and every penny is counted and fraught over. Most of the time, I stay in, opting for home cooking (great way to save money and be healthy), reading (free), and Netflix (cheap). But, every once in a while, I want to go out, and I turn to the UBC campus for that. UBC is popping with daily events that are completely free or super cheap ($2 basketball games anyone?). And I figure, actually I know, many of you are in the same boat, so I’ve put together a little cheat sheet for fun things to do on the cheap at UBC before (and after) Christmas.
1. Watch a basketball game. During my undergrad, I loved heading to War Memorial on a cold fall or winter’s night to watch the basketball teams play and I re-visited that old tradition two weeks ago. It was fantastic. Competitive, high-level sports played with passion and phenomenal skill for only $2? Sign me up! The fans are fun, the Thunderbird Marching Band is energizing, and our teams are some of the best in Canada. Not a baller? Check out our volleyball, hockey, or swim teams. They all rock.
2. Listen to some music. The UBC Faculty of Music hosts a Wednesday Noon Hour Series in the Music Building. Tickets are only $5 for students and is a perfect break in the day from the grind of academia. You’re here to expand your mind and open yourself to new experiences, and this is a great way to do just that. Next show is on Wednesday, November 25 and features award-winners Joshua Peters on violin and Katherine Dowling on piano.
3. Learn something new. One look at the weekly UBC Events Calendar and you’ll see that there are free lectures, seminars, and workshops in every discipline every day on campus. Whether your interests lie in biology, photography, or equity, you will find something that will pique your interest and push you to think differently.
4. Watch a movie and chill.For you first years or newbies, there’s this placed called the Student Union Building that was The Nest’s predecessor for several decades. I have six years of fond memories built up there, many in The Norm Theatre. The UBC Film Society (or FilmSoc) plays a delicious array of movies five days a week in The Norm that range from cult classics like The Big Lebowski (with beer garden) and anti-hero triumphs like Fight Club. $5 membership gets you free movies, events, and workshops all year!
5. Check out a play. Theatre at UBC puts on a full season every year of student productions that both push boundaries and nod to the greats. This weekend, the Theatre Alumni Group’s special fundraising performance Beckett 15, featuring work by Samuel Beckett, is playing with direction from BFA alumnus Gerald Vanderwoude. The show benefits The Peter Loeffler Memorial Award and is only $5 for students. There’s only one show left this Saturday, November 21. There’s also cake and champagne in the lobby afterwards, just saying.
What do you like to do for cheap fun on campus? Comment here or tell me on Twitter or Instagram! Happy weekend!