Things to do
The Government’s roadmap to ease restrictions in England is continuing to progress. Find out more about current restrictions.
Just because we're living with restrictions right now, it doesn't mean you have to be bored! All it requires is a little re-orientation in the way we go about things. Here are some ideas for things you can do to stay engaged and keep entertained.
Summer is coming
Restrictions have eased and the weather is warming up. Get into the mood for summer with these ideas:
Explore York with a countryside walk
Meet friends (up to 30 people) for a picnic
Take up a sport. If you're not already involved, now is an excellent time to look into College or YUSU sports. Outdoor and indoor sport is allowed, so you can meet friends within the regulations, try something new and get some exercise.
Visit one of YUSU's outdoor venues on campus: The Lakeside Tap, The Glasshouse, The Kitchen and The Forest are all open.
Do together
Get together virtually with friends from home, course mates or college buddies - here are just a few ideas to get you started.
Have a film night with your friends online using Netflix party or BBC Together
Play board games online with Tabletopia or Board Game Arena
Solve an online escape room with your friends
Have a quiz night: Jay's virtual Quiz and Pub Quiz Streams are live every week
Turn a film watching or music listening event into a game of online bingo with your friends using My Free Bingo Cards
Hold a gaming tournament - whether that's jumping on the Among Us and Fall Guys band wagon, or bringing out some old retro classics and laughing at how hard (or not) they still are (or aren't).
Catch up on your cultural backlog
Now's a great time to catch up on that backlog of things you've been meaning to watch, read, listen to or do.
There are a lot of places where you can soak up some culture online, whether it's getting stuck into that series people keep telling you to see, watching the footie with your friends, diving into some highbrow film viewing (or a popular blockbuster!) or just having a laugh with your household.
Watch
Online theatre - here's an example of The Two Gentlemen of Verona on Zoom
Watch music documentaries on the Doc' n Roll Festival online
Catch up on the footie with Sky Sports
Attend a virtual live concert, stream music moments with the Grammy Museum, or take a trip to the past and watch one of those iconic gigs you missed because you were busy... or not even born yet
Watch a University public lecture
Listen
Tune into University Radio York
Create a playlist to listen to with friends on Spotify
Have a classic album listening night: join in with Tim's Twitter Listening Party
Find some new podcasts to listen to - BBC Sounds has a wealth of fact and fiction podcasts and music mixes
Enjoy some classical music with York Concerts Online
Jack and the team at Album Soc along with Liam Daly (Head of Music at URY) have curated four playlists for you to enjoy:
1. Friday night (weekend tunes)
2. Throwback (classic tracks from the past)
3. New music (a selection of some of the newest artists around)
Learn something new
Why not put that extra time indoors to productive use and try out learning a new language or skill?
Learn a language
There are some great language learning apps that you can use to get a taste for new languages and progress with ones you're currently learning
You can find lots of lessons on YouTube. Want to try your hand at Japanese for example? Try Japanese Ammo with Misa or JapanesePod101
Already know a language? Sign up to Intercultural Peer Assisted Learning (IPAL) to learn about and discuss cultural topics and current issues
Try a new skill or develop your interests
Start one of the University's free online courses (MOOC) or explore more options via Future Learn
Join in on International conversation afternoons
Take a virtual museum tour
Take online classes with Skill Share
Learn a new musical instrument with an MA Music Education student
Not sure what to learn? How about sign language, cocktail mixing, coding or how to teach English as a foreign language? The world's your oyster.
Check out volunteering opportunities
Sign up as an SSO Ambassador to help raise awareness on sustainability
Get some fresh air
Don't stay cooped up inside all day every day! Make sure you get some time outside too.
Here's some things you can do outside:
Go for a walk: Stretch your legs and rediscover the great outdoors. If you're in York, read our tips on exploring our outdoor campus and the city.
Have a picnic: Don't forget the cocktail sausages and the scotch eggs!
Get some exercise: Indoor leisure and gym facilities are closed, but you can exercise in a public outdoor space. See York Sport for what's available.
Or just meet up for a chat and a coffee!
Visit one of the YUSU venues - The Lakeside Tap, The Glasshouse, The Kitchen and The Forest are all open for the Summer Term.
Get foodie
If you didn't have time beforehand to get creative in the kitchen, now's the time to feast.
Learn to cook: Expand your repertoire of recipes or try creating something new. You can find lots of inspiration online, including our TikTok and @caughtsnackin
Host a themed evening: Bring 'Come Dine With Me' to your student accommodation and have a themed meal where everyone in your household is responsible for bringing a different dish
Have a bake off challenge: If there's one thing the world needs more of, it's cake. Whether it's an expertly piped masterpiece or a badly executed brownie, baking with your household can be a laugh... and you get cake at the end
Order a takeaway: Let the cooking be done for you. Have a takeaway night, either from one of the many restaurants in town, or order from a venue on campus
Spend time with your household
If you're living with other people, you'll be spending a lot of time together - so here are some more ideas to help make the most of it.
Stage a Taskmaster evening with your household
Have a board game night
Sing your heart out with online karaoke
Order face masks (the fun kind) and have a spa day in your kitchen
Explore Yorkshire together through online virtual tours
Go on a guided walk around campus or the local countryside
Have an idea you want to bring to life?
Have an idea for your own activity or event? Your College Manager may be able to help. From logistical support, to spreading the word, or simply someone to bounce ideas off, get in touch to see how your college can support your ideas for making life more interesting. Contact colleges-management@york.ac.uk and a member of your college team will be in touch.
Need someone to speak to?
Whether you have a simple question you’re not quite sure about, or there's something on your mind and you’d like to talk it through, remember that there’s always help around the corner. Here are some places you can go to for help or advice: