Staying in... The new Going Out?

Helen Rathbone and Lisa O’Brien guide you through all the wonderful things going on just inside your front door, so put your feet up and learn to love your very own des res

By Helen Rathbone and Lisa O’Brien

*It’s that time of year again, the sun is beginning to shine and your bank balance is looking a little healthier. So where should you head on a night out? *

Nowhere. That’s right, staying in is the new going out, well for the time being at least.

With exams looming, crazy nights out will have to be put on the back burner, with revision moved to the top of your ‘to do’ list. A heart and head-wrenching prospect I know, so here’s some ideas to ease the pain when you take those all important breaks.

Disclaimer: Most of what is to follow is likely to be familiar to the majority of students, our job is merely to reinforce the fundamentals.

Neighbours:

A daily dose of Neighbours is vital to maintain healthy mind, body and soul during all your time at university but never more so than at exam time.

This easy-viewing soap opera comes in two easily digested 25 minute portions, one at 1.40 and the other 5.35, for you to enjoy at your leisure.

There can be no better excuse to put your revision book down, your feet up and enjoy a cuppa and Hobnob while eagerly awaiting Izzy’s next dastardly scheme (insert evil laugh mwahahahaha).

Cooking:

Cakes and pies, cakes and pies, cakes and pies. Need I say more?

Yes? Ok, I understand revision can be a little inspiration sapping, so here are a few ideas: how about baking your best friend a giant white chocolate mouse cake? Don’t mock, I did it and successfully managed to avoid my computer for a whole evening.

But if giant rodents aren’t your thing, how about donning a pinny and testing your domestic god/goddess skills in the kitchen and baking some fairy cakes and flapjacks. Not only will you be worshipped and adored by your flatmates and any house guests, but it also means you are set for tomorrow’s revision munchies.

Games:

Why not put your evenings off to some good use and keep your brain in tip top condition by engaging in a game of chess, the intellectual’s Xbox. Forget Halo 2, chess is the ultimate in unarmed combat, or so I am told.

It can help vent that revision anger by pounding your friends into checkmate. Okay, maybe not as satisfying as kicking ten bales out of a baddy on your computer but what can I say, I’m a pacifist. Or for the literati amongst you how about a Scrabble tournament. You never know, it might even help you come up with that word you need for your essay.

Exercise:

On second thoughts…

Sex:

It’s a well-known fact that exercise helps to relieve stress, and since going to the gym would involve leaving the house, a quick fumble under the duvet with your nearest and dearest could be just what the doctor ordered.

As for singletons out there, well I’ll leave that to your imagination.

Sleep:

You probably haven’t indulged in a cat-nap since the first year, that afternoon sleep that brings with it mind-boggling dreams and a little pool of dribble on your pillow. Well, what better time to rekindle this student favourite than during revision, and help recharge those brain cells for your afternoon work session?

Finally, if you’re adventurous, why not pick and mix from the above. The world’s your oyster.

For example, you could dress up as Neighbours characters (Harold is a personal favourite of mine) while eating pies and playing a game of naked Twister. Alternatively, you could make an edible version of Scrabble using alphabetti spaghetti and potato waffles.