7 Cheap or Free Summer Activities for College Students

By Robert Parmer

Summer is right around the corner which means the majority of college students are about to have a lot of free time on their hands. While some students are able to enjoy a summer filled with elaborate vacations and expensive activities, the reality is that most of us can’t afford to do so. But that doesn’t mean your summer has to be a letdown!

Most of us are more focused on finishing school and trying not to be broke all the time, which is understandable. However, it’s always possible to make the most of your copious amounts of free time in the summer. Focus on doing things that are enjoyable to you and your wallet.

Geocaching: I tried Geocaching for the first time last summer and was enamored by the whole process. Remember how fun scavenger hunts were when you were younger? Now, imagine a scavenger hunt on steroids and that’s Geocaching!

Geocaching is basically modern day treasure hunting. Thousands of plastic, waterproof boxes are hidden in each region. These contain an item which can be taken upon finding, but a replacement item is supposed to be left in it’s place. There is also a small log book in each box, that you can sign to prove you found it.

Since this is a free activity and there’s no limit to how frequently you can partake in Geocaching many people make it a hobby and benefit from the outdoorsy elements and associated exercise.

Cool off in water: Plan a day at the beach, river, lake, or pool. Although some public parks charge a daily rate, it’s usually per car. Remember to carpool to your favorite swimming spot and you’ll save money. If you’re up for something slightly more adventurous, search out the best swimming spots in your state, and plan a day trip or camping excursion!

Rearrange or Upgrade Your Living Space: When my living space gets too cluttered I find myself a bit frazzled. Defeat organizational stress by changing the scenery around you! Spend some time at thrift stores and consignment shops to find inexpensive furniture that’s new to you. I found all of the recliners and couches currently in my house at second hand stores–there’s no shame in buying used!

Start a Kitchen Garden: Gardening at any scale is sustainable and stress relieving. You’re investing money in a wise way by growing your own food! You’ll save money in the long run by gardening because growing food from seeds or starts is much cheaper. Home grown produce is also much healthier than most of the produce you’ll find at a store. And it’s less wasteful and creates less of a carbon footprint since homegrown produce doesn’t need to shipped around like most produce.

If you’re looking for a simple starting point, experiment with a basic kitchen herb garden and eventually graduate to larger kitchen gardening endeavors or urban gardens. I have a tiny greenhouse on my front porch and love rotating out seasonal fruits and vegetables.

Learn or Refine a Skill for Free: Since we live is such a tech heavy world these days, accessibility to learning or refining skills is progressing at a huge rate. By simply googling or searching YouTube for ‘How-to’ videos, anyone can learn almost any skill they desire.

For example, if you want to become a better chef, watch some instructional cooking videos and try out the recipes over the course of a weekend. Learn how to bake your own bread, experiment with vegetarian or vegan cooking if you haven’t before, or try cooking your favorite foreign dish from scratch.

Find a remarkable Place and Take a Panoramic Photo. Walk, hike, or bike ride your way to a remote location and take your best shot at a wide angle photography. Basically all smartphones have capabilities built in for panoramic photos. And if you aren’t happy with the stock panoramic pics, then experiment with one of the dozens of free apps out there.

Also try finding a busy place with lots of movement and take a time lapse video. Remember, location is everything; the more captivating the subject is, the more compelling the photos you take will be.

Volunteer Your Time: Sometimes volunteering your time just feels like the right thing to do. I try to make time for my favorite non-profit organizations every summer. Whether it’s working shifts feeding animals at the zoo, helping organize or run community events, or simply assisting a family member, neighbor, or friend with something volunteering leaves you with a sense of fulfilment.

Additionally, these volunteer hours may be useful for current or future college courses, so always make sure to track all of your volunteer hours. I use a simple spreadsheet with date stamps and logged volunteer hours. This is easier than a volunteer log notebook or journal, and I never misplace it.

Whether you’re traveling, relaxing, working, or even taking some classes this summer break, remember that you can always find inexpensive or free things to do with your downtime. The above highlighted activities are just scratching the surface, you’re only limited by how creative you get with your ideas!

Robert Parmer is a freelance web writer and student of Boise State University. Outside of writing and reading adamantly he enjoys creating and recording music, caring for his pet cat, and commuting by bicycle whenever possible. Follow him on Twitter @robparmer

 

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