We all want to get the best deal out of our college experience. As college students it can vary and depend on your financial circumstance, but what are some ways that you can make the most out of your college town?
Local Restaurants
You can go out and explore local restaurants. I know this can be a hit or miss, but what better moment to branch out than at college? You are already exploring and learning new habits, so adding in a different food from time-to-time won’t hurt. This can also be done with friends and people who you are starting to meet; at a school like UIUC you have broader options on Green Street and you can always give it a try. But if you don’t like it, reach out to your friends and see if they are up for eating your leftovers.
Exploring
Google search places around your hometown and see if anything calls out to you. It never hurts to see around your surrounding and check something out for fun. I have been able to try out Indian food with my research group and had the opportunity to visit a local crystal store with my friend. We also have so many local coffee shops that you can make your home away from home. Striving away from study spots, going out and exploring the bars, pubs and even frats with a group of friends or a buddy could be fun! It gives you many opportunities to find new friends as well as just allows you to meet new types of people in general.
Local Parks/Town Events
As we are a school that’s basically in the middle of nowhere, it’s not like we could go out to a bustling city and explore what it has to offer. But we do have the opportunities to explore the local parks as well as to see what events are posted near the campus town area. I know that many professors also like to take these opportunities and create safe spaces and opportunities for students, such as adding local farmers markets or even house parties for new bands that are trying to get a start.
Making the most out of the school
With a big school like UIUC you might not even have to go that far out to be around the college town, but even with time, you might realize that you haven’t explored different schools. Go into some random on-campus buildings and start using them as your study spots… or even try to branch out by taking different courses that you always wanted to try out (schedules permitting). Go out and join new clubs, even if you go for one day and never go back. It doesn’t hurt and it just gives you an opportunity to put yourself out there!