Being a graduate student isn’t cheap, but there are a few benefits we reap as students. Here are a few “free” things you can do as an NC State student.
Concerts
If you’re a music lover, University Activities Board (UAB) plans several concerts throughout the year and holds karaoke monthly in the One Earth Lounge.
The first concert of the school year is at Packapalooza. On Saturday, August 27 at 8 pm, American Aquarium will be headlining on Hillsborough Street. If you aren’t interested in the band, you should still come out because one of my best friends and cheese-rolling world champion, Abby Lampe, will take the stage just before the concert begins.
There are typically more concerts near the last day of classes (LDOC) for the fall semester as well as the spring semester. The LDOC concert in the spring is known as Wolfstock and is usually quite fun.
Movies
My personal favorite free on-campus activity is also organized by UAB. The Films Committee plans quite a few outdoor movies throughout the year including Screen On the Green, which happens every year during Wolfpack Welcome Week. This year they played a classic comedy: Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. This event has already passed, but don’t fret. They have a “Friday Films” series that runs throughout the year. Every Friday there is a showing at 7 pm and 10:15 pm in Witherspoon Cinema. They show a variety of feature films ranging from the classics to those currently in theaters. The movies UAB chooses are often seasonally relevant and sometimes even culturally relevant based on the month it is shown. Free entry and free popcorn for all! Just bring your student id. Follow @NCStateUAB for updates on showings.
Wellness & Recreation
Wellness & Recreation at NC State has so much to offer. You’ve probably heard about intramural sports from an IAA alum or faculty member. They truly have options for everyone.
If you enjoy large team sports, check out soccer, volleyball, basketball, cricket, ultimate frisbee, and flag football.
If you work better in a duo, they have doubles racquetball, table tennis, badminton, spikeball, cornhole, and pickleball.
If you work best on your own, there are options for singles tennis, racquetball, badminton, table tennis, and disc golf.
If you prefer playing sports through a screen, there are tournaments for NBA 2k, Madden, and FIFA.
If you like to predict sports outcomes more than you like to play them, there’s fantasy football and the college bowl pick.
If you are more of a games person, check out the chess and Texas Hold’Em tournaments.
If you are up for anything, consider playing the life-sized version of Battleship that takes place in the 50-meter pool.
Believe it or not, there are even more options in the spring semester. All the equipment needed for these sports and more can be borrowed for free through the gym’s equipment checkout stations. I encourage you to check out their website for more information about the fall schedule and how to sign up.
Wellness & Recreation offers a number of free group fitness classes. There is a class for everybody and every body.
Cardio classes include kickboxing, cycling, HIIT, cardio dance, and aerobic step.
Strengthening class options are body pump, core, and trx.
Mindbody classes include yoga flow, power yoga, and yogalates.
Find your favorite class or your favorite instructor and check the group fitness schedule to find a time for self-care through exercise. Beyond intramurals and fitness classes, Wellness & Recreation organizes several outdoor adventure trips. While only a few of the trips are completely free to students, they might be worth checking out.
The NC State Fair
Every NC State student should experience the NC State Fair. This eleven-day event attracts over 900,000 people every October. Some on-campus organizations offer tickets in exchange for volunteer hours. Anyone can get in for free on Hunger Relief Day by bringing six cans of food to donate. It’s also good to know that tickets are on sale now and prices are discounted. The fair has tons of rides, amazing food, and unique attractions including my future father-in-law’s giant watermelons.
I hope I have inspired you to give one of these a try. Enjoy your time at NC State and as always, Go Pack!
Columnist: Taylor Hayes