Being a college student feels like a non-stop gig. You’re constantly hustling and balancing your priorities while studying to earn your degree. 

When you stop to think about it (if you get the chance), you quickly realize how much you have going on. There are assignments, classes, and possibly a part-time job, not to mention socializing with your friends, taking time out on the weekend for hobbies, and joining on-campus clubs. 

With all this to manage, it’s critical to take time to unwind, recharge, and save money. While taking a step back from your responsibilities might seem impossible, taking a break is the only way your body and mind can recover.

Fortunately, you don’t need to leave your apartment to have a fun and relaxing weekend. You can recharge in the comfort of your own home so you feel fresh and ready for Monday morning when it arrives.

Below, we share ideas for how to spend a low-key weekend at your BYU-I apartment, whether you plan on spending a few days solo or hanging out with friends. 

Watch a Movie

Watching a movie is a great choice because it’s passive (after being active all week) and an experience you can share with friends. The best solution is to get everyone you invite to bring snacks to share with the group. This arrangement means you don’t have to dedicate extra time to gathering and preparing the food. You and your friends can split the responsibility—and the cost.

Pick a movie you think everyone will enjoy. You and your friends might be into action, horror, period dramas, or other movie genres. If you’re unsure, vote on it and see what people want. Give them a list of options and stream the most popular one.

Try a New Recipe

If you’re into cooking, you could experiment with a new recipe as a low-key weekend activity. BYU-I apartments have fully equipped kitchens, so you should have access to everything you need.

For entrées, you could try different cuisines from countries like: 

  • India: The food is packed with bold spices like cinnamon, clove, and cardamom—perfect if you’re craving something flavorful and warming.
  • Ethiopia: Think lean meats and spongy teff flatbreads; it’s healthy, unique, and fun to eat with your hands.
  • Thailand: Thai curries are tropical and fragrant, often made with ingredients like lemongrass and pineapple that’ll make your kitchen smell amazing.
  • Britain: English cuisine is all about comfort food—fried fish, baked meats, and plenty of gravy.
  • France: If you’re up for a challenge, try your hand at something French. The dishes are classic and refined, but totally doable if you follow the recipe.

You could also try baking. Sure, it’s more complicated, but it can be therapeutic, and the results are almost always worth it. If you choose to share, your roommates will most likely agree!

Host a Book Club

Hosting a book club is another great way to mix things up. Inviting a few friends over to talk about a well-known novel can be a refreshing break from your usual engineering or medical textbooks.

Book clubs often lead to meaningful friendships because they naturally attract people who enjoy deeper conversations. Talking through characters and plot twists can be a fun and intellectually engaging way to connect with others.

Declutter

You could also spend the weekend decluttering. If your weekdays are normally hectic, you may not have time to clear up the living areas or do the dishes. Saturdays and Sundays are more relaxed and offer downtime to sort through your things and discard what you don’t need.

You could also declutter with a friend while listening to music or catching up. Once everything is tidy, you can enjoy the rest of your hangout with a carefree mind.

BYU-I apartments are spacious but shared, so decluttering is an act of service to not only yourself but your roommates as well.

Invite Friends Over for Game Night

Inviting friends for a game night is another option. Playing video games, party games, or computer games can lead to friendly banter and a lot of fun. You might also opt for a more traditional board game for a tech-free experience.

Game nights on Fridays and Saturdays also take your mind off everything else that happened during the week. Even if the game you’re playing isn’t highly competitive, it can serve as a lighthearted escape from your typical stressors.

Do a Home Workout

Completing a home workout allows you to stay home while still prioritizing your fitness and well-being. It’s good for your body and mind to get your blood pumping and catch up on exercise if you were too busy during the week. 

Exercise is critical during college because it keeps your mind sharp. Research shows that people who exercise regularly do better on cognitive tasks, so it’s worth prioritizing workouts while pursuing your degree.

Unplug for a Day

Unplugging for the day might be exactly what you need after a busy week at BYU-I. Options include: 

  • Reading
  • Journaling
  • Participating in creative hobbies
  • Making time for self-care (grooming, preparing a healthy meal, etc.)

Staying off your phone for hours at a time can be challenging. However, many people find it liberating, especially college students who spend a lot of time utilizing technology during the week.

Finish Outstanding Assignments

Catching up on assignments is another low-key way to spend the weekend at your BYU-I apartment. With everything going on during the week, it’s easy to fall behind on schoolwork. Taking time over the weekend to finish what you didn’t get to can help you feel more prepared—and less stressed—for the week ahead.

Prepare for the Week 

Finally, you could prepare for the upcoming week. This could involve: 

  • Tidying your room
  • Cooking batch meals in advance
  • Cleaning 
  • Doing your laundry
  • Organizing your workspace
  • Reviewing your calendar

Getting your chores done early can make your free time feel more relaxing. A little preparation up front means you won’t be stressing later about everything you still have to do, and you can actually enjoy your downtime guilt-free.

Choose American Avenue for Your BYU-I Student Housing

Many students believe they need big plans to have a meaningful weekend, but slow days are often the most enjoyable. Inviting friends over and turning ordinary tasks into social events can make them even more memorable. 

At the end of the day, your apartment should be more than just a place to sleep. It should be a space for fun, growth, and meaningful connection. You deserve housing that supports the whole college experience, where you can enjoy life outside of classes, too.

Contact American Avenue or apply today to find your home at BYU-Idaho.