It’s that time of year again. With finals, we are all over-worked, stressed, tired and probably even a little sad. After working so hard for the last nine months, it’s hard to see the summer light at the end of the tunnel. But now, it’s time to do something fun.
Doing something spontaneous and not school related for even just an hour will give you that last extra push to get through the next week of finals. These are seven Free Press approved ideas that are totally better than just locking yourself in the library.
Crush your friends and some beers at Crocodile Lounge’s Wednesday Trivial Dispute.
Every Wednesday at 8:30 p.m. Crocodile Lounge on 14th Street in between First and Second avenues hosts a trivia game with added free shot rounds. Winners receive $50, $30 and $20 bar tabs! Croc also has an awesome everyday special, every time you buy a drink you get a free personal pizza.
If Wednesday really doesn’t work for you, Crocodile Lounge has Bingo on Thursdays at 9 p.m. where you can also win shot rounds and bar tabs. Croc has no problems getting you wasted on weeknights.
People watch, read, or sketch at a local park.
Having The New School so close to so many public parks makes for great people watching opportunities. Washington Square and Union Square parks are both a quick five minute walk from any of the school buildings. Take advantage of the Tai Chi classes held almost every morning at 9 a.m. in Washington Square or sit and watch the performers who emerge as the weather gets nicer. Satisfy your finals cravings with healthy, homegrown items from the Union Square Greenmarket that is held Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
In addition, if you are feeling like you need a longer walk, The High Line is only a few avenues away in Chelsea. It is certainly worth it for both the people watching and city views.
Alleviate your stress with a yoga session at Yoga For The People.
Take a few deep breathes, turn your phone off, put on your comfiest yoga pants or shorts, grab your mat and head over to Saint Marks. Classes are a suggested $10, but feel free to pay whatever you can afford, both water ($1) and mat rental ($2) are available on site. The studio is no judgements so all levels of yogis are welcome!
The classes are held Monday through Friday 7 a.m., 10 a.m., 12 p.m., 2 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 6 p.m., 7:30 p.m. and 9p.m. Registering for class isn’t necessary, but you should get there at least 15 minutes early to get yourself a good spot.
Spend an hour laughing your ass off at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater.
If you like laughing and drinking locally brewed ciders and beers, you should buy a ticket to one of the UCB’s stand up or improv comedy shows. All shows include numerous, hilarious up-and-coming comedians who are bound to have you in tears. They hold four to shows a day and tickets run from $5 to10. The East Village location is on Avenue A between Third and Fourth streets.
Buy your tickets at latest the morning before, they sell out quickly! Also, make sure you get to the show at least 15 minutes early because the theater is small and will fill up fast.
Read a book completely unrelated to school from Strand’s $2 book carts.
Located on Broadway and the corner of 12th Street, Strand is the legendary home to 18 miles of new, used and rare books. If you looking for a cheap buy, you can shop for one of their used books outside of the store on rolling carts. These books usually go for anywhere between $1 to$5. This is a great opportunity to pick up a book, completely unrelated to school and escape from your studies for the afternoon.
Go see a movie at Regal Cinemas Union Square
Whether you’re looking to see a chick flick like “Mother’s Day” or want to relive your childhood with the new “Jungle Book,” any movie is sure to get your mind off the piles of work you still have left to do. Although seeing a movie in the city can be pricey, The New School offers their students vouchers so they only have to pay $8 per ticket. You can find out how to get these vouchers here.
Eat your feelings away with 20 cent wings at Croxley’s Ale House.
Take a cheap dinner or lunch break from your work to head over to Croxley’s on Avenue A between Second and Third streets. Boneless wings are 20 cents and bone in wings are 30 cents on Saturday 12 p.m. to 5 p.m., Sundays from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m., and Monday through Thursday 4 p.m. to1 a.m.
A more amazing deal is that on every Friday they serve a free wing buffet at the bar from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Croxley’s serves other delicious and reasonably priced food and also has great happy hour drink specials.
Julia is the current Senior Photo Editor for the Free Press. She is in her senior year at Parsons, majoring in Photography and minoring in Art History. Julia is originally from Boston and is patiently awaiting her return there after college. She is a wiener dog and pizza enthusiast and finds herself most at home when she is near the ocean.
