I wish I could sip dry martinis and spend obscene amounts of money with my friends, or even spend a week in Italy and enjoy all of the history, fashion and food the country has to offer. However, as a student at Nicholls, I do not have the time or finances to make my dreams of hanging out with Giuseppe in Rome a reality. Despite the town lacking social variety, living in Thibodaux gives people the opportunity to be creative and have fun on any given day-without “breaking the bank.” To all the monetarily-challenged, or those who just like to save money, here are some things that anyone can do without spending a lot of money.
For concert goers, buying tickets from the House of Blues in New Orleans is a steal. On two-for-one Tuesdays, a person can buy two tickets for the price of one to any concert of his or her choice.
When in New Orleans, students should walk around the French Quarter and enjoy the scenery of the Big Easy. The Riverwalk in New Orleans is a great place to window shop.
A fun social activity that a group of friends can participate in can be a theme party of one’s choice. If it is an 80s night, everyone in the group can dress up and watch classic 80s movies such as “Sixteen Candles,” “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” or any “Back to the Future” movie.
Another activity that students can do to alleviate boredom is to have a karaoke night. Students can get together and jokingly sing songs in the worst way possible and even have friends as judges.
If you are feeling creative or just want to pretend you are a 6-year-old, take a trip to Wal-Mart or an art supply store like Michael’s and get a coloring book and crayons, markers or color pencils. It is an excellent way to pass time and de-stress from studying and the pressures of everyday life.
Board games are another way to enjoy the company of friends. Games such as Battle of the Sexes, Trivial Pursuit and Twister offer a healthy dose of interaction and competitiveness.
Walking or riding bikes around campus can be another way to have fun. If brave enough, one can ride or walk around Thibodaux with a group of friends. It is one of the best ways to get exercise and hang out with friends. It also serves as a way for students to get familiar with the town.
Students can also go to the Bollinger Memorial Student Union and enjoy a variety of activities, from playing pool to going to the racquetball courts. The Union lounge area is a great place to relax between classes or escape the boredom of staying inside the dorm or apartment.
Playing card games with friends in the Union or dorms is fun for showing off or testing one’s luck. Poker night with snacks is a great way to spend a slow night. Other card games like Pokino, Pedro, Bingo and Rummy are fun as well.
For shopping addicts such as myself, going to local thrift stores and shops in town is a way to go. Not only is it cheaper, but items are often one-of-a-kind finds.
And, if all else fails, students can always catch up on sleep.
