How to Have Cheap Fun in Medical School: 10 Great Activities

People are always asking me what new thing I’ve got planned because I have figured out how to have cheap fun in medical school. I don’t sit and study non-stop and let school prevent me from living life. I figured, I’ll never be as young and carefree as I am right now. So, I might as well make the most of it. Go hard during the week so I can go harder during the weekends.

Now school should definitely come first. Sometimes you have to sacrifice a little bit of fun for the grades. But, it’s great to take a break and reward yourself every now and then. You make such good friends with the people around you. It’s important to make good memories with them. And you can do this while balling on a budget.

No you won’t be jetting out of the country once a month (UGH I should have been a travel blogger). However, there are always ways to have fun. You just have to get a bit creative and be open minded. Here is a list of 10 fun and cheap activities to do with your medical school friends.

Activity #1: Movie Night

I’m a huge fan of movie nights for cheap fun in medical school. I often host movie nights, normally throwbacks, because they are cheap, easy, and so much fun! I also like to throw a nice theme in there. One night I did Mean Girls and Margs. Another night I did Clueless and Cookies. And probably one of my favorites was the Devil Wears Prada and a Wine Night with a Charcuterie Board.

These activities were so much fun because they were movies everyone loves, and it was just an easy way to spend time together. Plus, putting them on was super cheap. All you need is a comfy space for people to chill, a nice sized TV, and something that plays movies! I normally buy movies from Amazon Prime if they aren’t already on one of the streaming services. But most of the time, you can find everything you’re looking for on Hulu, Netflix, and all the above.

For the food, sometimes I do a potluck. However, most of the time it’s BYOB and I provide food because food is easy and I like cooking. I have a popcorn machine that pops heaps of popcorn. I also got a bunch of meats and cheeses and fruits, then sliced them up for a charcuterie board. One time I even made a brownie in my cast iron and got some cookies and cream ice cream. It was so much fun, and I had a great time hosting.

Activity #2: Game Night

Nothing is more more epic than a game night. It’s a great way to have cheap fun in medical school. Plus, it’s super interactive, so if people get restless during movies, games are a great way to get everyone involved.

When I first moved into my apartment, I hosted a Friendsgiving + Game Night + Apartment Warming. It was a great trio and we had a lot of fun. Plus, depending on the game you choose, you find a lot out about your classmates…

Some fan favorites are:

• What do you meme?
• Black card revoked (for specific crowds)
• Headbandz
• Cards Against Humanity
• Never Have I Ever
• Charades
• Taboo
• Fishbowl

You can choose a board game, or find something on the internet and make it up. Either way, people love to get competitive, and when you mix drinks and snacks, it makes for a great night off from school.

Activity #3: Community Events

When you’re in medical school, it’s nice to get out and about and see what your community offers. Depending on where you live, this will either be an easy task, or a hard one. However, no matter where you live, each community has its own little fun events. You just have to be open minded to trying things out.

Community events are also a great option for cheap fun in medical school because you can get to know your community. When you’re in a position to care for the people in that community, it’s an opportunity to kill two birds with one stone. You get to meet the people, while also getting to have a little bit of fun for yourself. It’s important to get your face out there, so in case any of the attendees have to come to the hospital, you’ve already built some rapport, which will help you with patient care.

Farmer’s markets are a great way to get out on an early Saturday morning and see what’s going on. You can get some fresh produce while meeting local producers in the area. If you live somewhere rural, this is especially a great opportunity to meet those who may not get to come to the hospital as often.

Fairs, festivals, and community concerts or movie nights are also great options. There are some parks that play movies every week, especially when the weather is nice. There are also certain festivals that are held at the same time every year. There’s something very nostalgic about eating ice cream while standing in line for the Ferris Wheel…

Look on your community website and see what upcoming activities they have, and grab some of your classmates and head out there!

Activity #4: Concerts

Concerts may or may not be a way to have “cheap” fun in medical school. It depends on who’s coming. But, smaller venues and throwback, or emerging artists may have cheaper tickets. You just have to Google “concerts near me” and see who is coming to town. It’s important to get your tickets early, though. A $25 ticket can easily become a $75 ticket if resellers are your only option. (I would know, I missed out on JoJo due to stupid resellers).

There are plenty of different genres of music, and the venues may vary depending on who you are seeing. Performances in bars and clubs are a little more intimate than in a stadium. Stadium concerts can be affordable if you get the tickets right when they go on sale. Or maybe, you and your friends rock out from the nosebleeds and make a night of it. Either way, if an artist is coming who you really enjoy, GO!

I recently when to a concert by myself for the first time. I was definitely nervous, but I wanted to see Dua Lipa really bad and would KICK myself if I didn’t see her when she came to town. So I semi-impulsively bought a ticket the day before and sat by complete strangers. Honestly, once the music started, it didn’t even phase me that I was by myself. I was in my own little world dancing and singing to her music, and I was so glad that I went.

Activity #5: Picnic in the Park

As the weather begins to get nice again, don’t underestimate the power of the Picnic in the Park for cheap fun in medical school. Picnics are a great way to enjoy the outdoors while snacking on your favorite foods with your favorite people. The only downside to eating outside is watching for bugs (or is that just me?)

Either way, get some bug repellent, spray on that sunscreen and enjoy the outdoors. Plus, picnics are fairly cheap. Grab an outdoor mat or blanket, and maybe even a couple of pillows for sitting. Then you can make some sandwiches, a salad, grab some fruit and a couple of drinks for a great time out. Don’t forget the speaker so you can jam out to your favorite tunes while you eat. And last, but certainly not least, you need a camera so you can snap the flicks of you having the best time with your people.

Activity #6: Sip n’ Paint

I have three canvases in my house, painted by moi, because I love a good Sip n Paint. They are so much fun to do with anyone, and the BYOB and painting is a great combination. Sometimes, the Sip n’ Paint classes even have special nights. Girls’ Night Out or date night are some really fun themes that the Sip n’ Paint place may offer.

You can normally do an evening of painting from anywhere between $25-$40 depending on the night and the popularity of the painting. If you don’t have a place that does Sip n’ Paint, then you can do a paint by numbers activity and order the canvases from online and host it at someone’s house. Painting is so much fun and you get to leave with something you created. You don’t even have to be an artist to enjoy the activity (I most certainly am not).

Painting with a Twist, Pinot’s Palette, Trap n’ Paint are just a few of the places that offer these services. See what’s in your area, and if any of your friends are artists, encourage them to lead a Sip n’ Paint for the group!

Activity #7: Outdoor Games

You can never get too much Vitamin D (of course I’m referring to Vitamin Darian, but the other stuff too I guess). So get outside, especially when the weather gets nice! Get a nice game of kickball going, or everyone loves a sand volleyball game. Outdoor games are a great way to have cheap fun in medical school AND get your workout in. You’re working on both your physical wellness and social wellness at the same time.

I would love to take it back to elementary school and have a field day. I think that would be so fun, and I think a lot of people would enjoy it. Get a bunch of classmates together, throw someone on the grill, and set up a variety of games and keep track of points. A little competition never hurt anyone (I think…) and it just provides great memories for everyone. Plus, all you need are the materials to play the game, food and water, and some music to set the tone.

Activity #8: Poolside Fun

If you’re not in the pool for cheap fun in medical school, I don’t know what you’re doing. Someone in your class is going to live in an apartment with a nice pool – make friends with them! Enjoying time by the pool is so much fun and low maintainenece. Everyone can just bring their drinks and you have the option of grilling some food or passing out ice cream.

If anyone has a big speaker, you definitely want to bring that as well so it’s like a little pool party. At the end of a long day, nothing feels better than just floating in the pool, splashing all of your problems away. In the summer time, find a great pool to hang out in, and get some of your friends together to chill. Plus, this list will give you motivation if you’re trying to hit those bikini body goals to stay consistent and be ready to SHOW OUT this summer.

Activity #9: Bowling and Arcade Games

Bowling is one of my favorite ways to have cheap fun in medical school. I’m no good at it, but it’s a game that takes some time to play, extending the time you get to hang with your friends. Plus, if you go on certain nights, then the play is normally cheaper.

Most bowling alleys even have an arcade, so if you’re not gutterballing, you can be pinballing or hitting up the pool table. These are some fun ways to be competitive, while just having straight up fun after a stressful day of school, studying, shadowing, and whatever else you’re doing. Plus, if the weather is too bad to go to the pool or spend time outside, this is a great alternative!

Bowling alley drinks and food are normally pretty good as well. There’s a little something for everyone, and it’s not hard to get everyone on board to go bowling. Find a bowling alley, look at the nights they have price specials, and throw it out in the group chat and find out who’s up for a great night!

Activity #10: Go to Happy Hour

My middle name is Happy Hour. It’s a delicious way to have cheap fun in medical school. So many restaurants and bars have great happy hour deals. You can go and have plenty of drinks and yummy snacks for virtually nothing. Medical students are normally hungry and in desperate need of a drink. If you can find a place that combines those two needs for the low low, you’re going to be a local hero.

It would be great if you found a place that you all could become regulars at. I always pictured my friend group being like Friends and we just have the one spot we are known for being at.

But, I also like to try new things and will find specials just about anywhere. If there is a holiday coming up, see if there are any particular specials. Just a couple of days ago I went to an Irish Bar for St. Patrick’s Day with some friends and they had great drink and food specials.

Conclusion: Get Out and See Your City

Having cheap fun in medical school is far from impossible. It just takes a little bit of planning and a lot of follow through. The important thing to remember, is that everyone is busy and you have no idea what other people’s stress loads look like. So if you invite people to things and they aren’t able to make it, don’t take it personal (unless no one likes you…then take it personal and try to be someone that people actually enjoy being around).

But if you actually want to have fun, you can find ways to do it. Be creative, think outside the box, and try to shop and dine local. Those small business want customers like you who are in the area. Support them so they stay open and maybe even start a tradition for the students behind you.

If you have any suggestions, then please drop them in the comment box to spread the good ideas!

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