Fall Family Weekend is an exciting and busy time for students expecting loved ones to visit. But for those whose relatives live too far away or are simply too busy to attend, it can be lonely and isolating. Finding ways to stay busy or distracted can seem overwhelming. Tempting as it might seem, hiding inside your room all weekend and forcing homework down your throat is not the only option. Knoxville and UT are full of events and opportunities. Here are a few ideas to combat the Family Weekend blues.
Get outside
Being in the great outdoors is a wonderful way to boost serotonin levels. TRECS offers equipment rentals at affordable prices. Grab a friend and go paddleboarding at Suttree Landing Park and stop by South Coast Pizza afterward. If you aren’t interested in an adventurous activity, you can rent a hammock for $3 and set up at one of the many on-campus shaded areas.
Take advantage of the time
With students being otherwise occupied, now is a great time to run the laundry pile that’s been on your floor for two weeks. Empty units should be easy to find – or here’s hoping. And if you’ve been too scared to explore the library with so many students around, now is your chance. Get a self-guided tour of its seven levels and stake out your new favorite studying spots.
See Knoxville
There is so much to do in this city. Within walking distance from campus is the downtown farmers’ market every Saturday morning run by Nourish Knoxville. They pride themselves on their promise to the public that everything sold was either grown, raised or made within a 150-mile radius of Knoxville. Open from 9 a.m to 1 p.m, the market is the perfect place to walk around or shop for something a bit fresher than the dining hall.
Browsing Market Square is an experience any day of the week. The colors and sounds bring people of all ages together in appreciation for this city. One of the best things about Knoxville is that there’s always something to do and it doesn’t have to be expensive.
Get a discount
Speaking of expenses, Agatha Christie’s “Murder on the Orient Express” will be playing at the Clarence Brown Theatre on Friday night, with discounted tickets to UT students. Check out the Daily Beacon’s review before you go or simply hop on board for a thrilling ride … will you spot the murderer before Hercule Poirot does?
Gather a group of friends
An organized game night is a great way to meet people. Invite a few friends and tell them to bring at least one other person with them to get a group full of personalities going. Or simply ask one or two and keep it personal. Crazy Uno is a great game to play in groups because of its general simplicity and the ease at which you can add spinoff rules. For example, every time an 8 is played, everyone gives their hand of cards to the person on their right.
Be creative
Overall, the main takeaway is that Fall Family Weekend doesn’t need to feel lonely. With a few of these ideas and your own creativity, come up with some fun plans and get out of the dorm for awhile – unless binging Netflix with a pint of ice cream is your idea of fun.
