Seven Ways to Have Fun as a Postgrad That Won't Cost You a Penny

Money can be tight when you’re on a postgraduate course. There are fewer funding options at the postgraduate level, which means students can often end up paying their own way through while relying on their postgraduate loan. For this reason, postgrads are unlikely to be able to afford the same number of nights out that undergrads regularly enjoy. That’s not to say you can’t still have fun, though! We’ve come up with seven ways to unwind after your lectures that won’t have you burning through your savings at an alarming rate. 

1. Societies 

Just because you’re a postgrad doesn’t mean you can’t join university societies. They’re designed to be enjoyed by anyone studying at your institution, so get involved. Go along to the societies fair at the start of term to see if anything grabs your interest – which is an activity in itself! 

While some can be expensive to join, there will be plenty of societies that are completely free. Take a chance on a few of these and you could find an entirely new hobby. 

2. Book clubs 

Book clubs are no longer exclusively for literature enthusiasts. Have a look online or on social media and you should be able to find book clubs dedicated to all kinds of genres. If books really aren’t your thing, similar clubs devoted to films, board games and music also exist. 

Plus, if you can’t find the exact sort of book club you want, you can always make your own. Stick a note up on any of your university’s notice boards inviting people to join in and you’ll be bound to meet a few people with similar tastes. 

3. Blogging 

If you don’t mind a little more screen time in addition to your course work, blogging is an ideal pastime. Simply choose a subject you’re interested in and write about it. Ideally your blog posts will be topical and based on news or current events to draw in readers, but it absolutely doesn’t need to be at all. 

Connecting with other bloggers is as simple as sending a friendly tweet or comment, so you may even find yourself a new group of friends outside your studies. You also learn a load of additional skills, and it looks great on a CV. 

4. Geocaching 

Geocaching is one of the more unique ways to get to know your new hometown. For those unfamiliar, this is an outdoor treasure hunt that involves using a GPS device (most likely your smartphone) to track down containers hidden by other Geocachers. Being the online phenomenon that it is, there’s sure to be several caches nearby for you to find. 

5. Cycling 

Provided you’ve already got a bike, cycling is an ideal way to explore new places while you study a postgraduate course. Look for cycle routes in your local area and head out into the world. You’ll likely meet other cyclists to chat to along the way. 

6. Free gigs and events 

Searching for free events in any town or city across the country will undoubtedly bring up all sorts of interesting activities for students to take part in. Whether it’s art fairs, gigs, gallery openings or even group walks, there’s always plenty to do if you put in the time to look for it. 

7. Volunteering 

If you enjoy the feeling of being part of a team and don’t mind not being paid for it, volunteering can be a rewarding experience. Choose something that relates to your interests, and it might even come with a few benefits. For example, if you’re into vintage fashion, working in a charity shop will mean you’re the first to discover unwanted treasures.  

Next: Read more postgraduate life advice