The time has come for all 40,000-plus students to return to campus life at the University. Many people will be looking forward to meeting new people and developing new relationships as the semester progresses.
The University is equipped with various restaurants, events and activities to create long-lasting memories with new friends, but some may not believe there are affordable options.
Despite what some may think, there are many outlets for fun that are affordable and accessible to all students.
A popular option to meet other students without a cost is to join an RSO. An RSO is a registered student organization, similar to a club, according to the University’s website.
There are over 800 RSOs active on campus. With 800 groups, there are plenty of RSOs for students with varying interests.
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From hobbies, such as painting, to RSOs for social awareness causes, it’s likely any individual can participate in a group they are passionate about.
Oftentimes, RSOs have no cost and they can be opportunities to get together with groups of students with common interests. An effective way to learn more about RSOs may be to visit the University’s web page containing an up-to-date list of all active groups.
Another method of discovering RSOs is to attend the University’s Quad Day and Involvement Fair. Quad Day is always held the Sunday prior to the start of fall semester classes, meaning the 2023 Quad Day is at noon on Aug. 23.
For students with established friend groups, there are various hangout ideas with low costs. A bit of creativity may be needed to discover interesting ways to have fun without spending money.
A fun approach to connecting a friend group could be to make a book club. Pick a book to read together and create a schedule assigning how much to read at once.
Not only could this idea academically engage students, but it allows friends to experience a new environment together and assess the imaginary world they are sharing.
What could be cuter than a good book on the Main Quad with friends? Maybe adding a picnic.
A picnic is another method of an affordable plan. All that may be needed is a blanket, food and a speaker. The University has many spaces for students to sit and enjoy the scenery as the summer fades into the fall season.
Getting take-out containers from the dining hall, buying snacks with Dining Dollars, making your own snacks or investing in a cheap meal from one of the many food spots on Green Street are a few of the many options to fuel the picnic.
If students want organized and low-maintenance activities, the Illini Union actively hosts events throughout the school year.
Events are constant at the beginning of the fall semester and the event calendar can be viewed on the Illini Union’s website.
Some events include movie nights, comedy shows and karaoke nights. There are many movies to go see projected inside the Illini Union, and sometimes out of the Main Quad, for all the film-lovers, free of charge. Be sure to check the events calendar often for updates.
RSOs, picnics and movie nights are only a few options for Illini students to spend their time. There are many other activities to do on campus and more free events yet to be announced. With a bit of creativity, students can find ways to engage with friends in new and unique ways.
