Top 5 things to do on a student budget

Let's face it, university life can get expensive fast. Sometimes you just won't have the funds to go on yet another night out with your friends. But, contrary to popular belief, that isn't the only way you can have fun at uni.

So, what are some budget-friendly activities you can do when you're waiting for your next maintenance loan to drop? We break down five ideas to give you some inspiration.

1. Movie night

You can't go wrong with a good film and some snacks. Round up a few friends, get the popcorn in the microwave, and stick a movie on the TV. If you don't have a TV in your uni accommodation, you can always buy a projector and cast your film onto the wall to give you that true faux cinema experience. You can get projectors for less than £30 online and they'll last you your entire university experience. You can do movie nights every week, as they offer a great way to spend time with your friends without breaking the bank.

2. Picnic

When the weather's good, there's nothing better than heading to the local park with some friends and tucking into some delicious food and drink. And by delicious food and drink, yes, we do mean a Tesco meal deal, a few tinnies, and a couple of cocktail cans. That's the beauty of a picnic: you can make it as fancy or as chill as you feel like. It's more about enjoying the sun, your surroundings, and your friends. Uni vibes in summer term are always the best, particularly after exams.

3. House dinner

Cooking at home is far less expensive than eating out. Getting all your housemates together for a communal dinner is a great way to spend an evening. A lot of housemates do this at Christmas time, but if you're strapped for cash, it makes for a fun activity on any day of the week. You can make the kitchen look nice (for once), and all help with the food preparation. Then let the good times flow. It makes a nice change from cooking and eating separately so it feels like more of an event.

After dinner, why not keep the fun going all night by adding some activities? For instance, you could transition into a games night. Get the board games out and unleash your competitive spirit. Or you could try a wine and paint night, where you all get a bit tipsy, flex your artistic muscles, and end up with several masterpieces at the end of the evening. (Or drunken doodles, depending on ability).

4. Mental health walk

Who doesn't love a good old mental health walk? If you're feeling stressed, going outside, getting some fresh air, and moving your body is a great way to clear your head and take your mind off your worries. You can go solo or bring some friends along for a gossip while you walk. It's also a really good way to explore your university city and really get to know where you live. You'll be sure to find a few hidden spots that only the locals know about.

5. House party

You don't have to sacrifice a great night out to save money. Why not embrace a staple of uni life? Of course, we're talking about house parties. House parties are cheaper than going to a club as you don't have to pay entry or pay for drinks all night. If you're not hosting, even better. All the fun, none of the clean up. If you are hosting, you can really get into it by setting a theme and making all your friends dress up. Some great options are 'rhyme without reason', 'British icons', or 'dress as your favourite tube station'.

Having fun doesn't have to break the bank. Next time you're looking for things to do on a student budget, try out some of the suggestions from our list and hopefully you won't have to dine off instant noodles and baked beans for the last few weeks of term when you've used up your loan.