No. 9: Weekend options abound

Throughout the school week, college life can become rather monotonous. You wake up, eat, go to classes, participate in various extracurricular activities, study and go to bed. And then there's the weekend. The weekend is when this routine doesn't apply and most, if not all of us, rejoice.

But what exactly is there to do with your free time on the weekend? Both on and off campus, you can find a number of ways to entertain yourself.

On Campus

College Woods – What better way to spend a Saturday afternoon after a stressful week than taking a stroll through the woods and enjoying nature? College Woods is a great place to do so. Of course, it doesn't have to be relaxing. If you like to run or you have a bike, you can tear through the trails and eliminate stress that way as well.

MUB movies – Every weekend (Thursday – Sunday) movies are shown in both of the MUB's theaters. Typically, two movies are shown each night for only a couple bucks.

The best part is that the movies that are screened have usually just left first-run theaters and have not yet been released on DVD. So if you missed a movie while it was in theaters, you could catch it at the MUB and you wouldn't have to pay $10.

RA socials – Your RAs are required to hold socials every now and again and nothing is more deflating for them than when nobody shows up. These socials are a great way to get to know the people that live in your dorm and by going you're doing your RA a favor. Some socials that I've participated in include trivia, making grilled cheese, going to on-campus events together and more.

Sporting events – A great way to show off your school spirit is by going to a UNH sporting event. Hockey games are my personal favorite to attend, and they're usually on Friday and Saturday nights. They are ideal for being loud and obnoxious while supporting your school's team. But don't forget about football and the many other games that are held throughout the weekend.

Off Campus

Newington – Newington has a few good things to offer, and it's just a short bus ride away. You could be a mallrat for the day at the Fox Run Mall. It's a fairly small shopping center, but it does have most of the typical mall stores within it. You could also catch a movie at Regal Cinemas or grab a bite to eat at the Olive Garden or IHOP.

Portsmouth – If you stay on the same bus as the one that takes you to the Fox Run Mall just a little longer, you can get off at downtown Portsmouth. Portsmouth is one of my favorite places to go on the weekend. The town is filled with interesting little shops and restaurants. I highly suggest the Friendly Toast if you want to have a good meal in a unique setting.

Hampton Beach – While the weather is still warm, you can spend a day at Hampton Beach. This destination is a little more difficult to get to because buses don't run there, but if you or someone you know has a car on campus then you're all set.

Other than chilling out on the beach, you could go whale watching, jet skiing, golfing, etc. And you could always check out a view of the nuclear power plant at Seabrook Station.

Kittery Outlets – The Kittery Outlets are located just over the border in Maine, and as with Hampton Beach you need your own form of transportation to get there. The outlets make the Fox Run Mall look rather sad. You could just look at its website's store directory to see why. There are stores for everyone there, and everything is sold at outlet prices.

Those are just a few ideas on how to enjoy some of your well-earned free time. Whether you choose to spend time with nature, shop or show your school spirit, there's really no excuse for boredom at UNH.