Healthy and Fun Ways for Students to Recharge Outside Lectures

Student life gets busy fast. You’ve got lectures, deadlines, part-time work, group projects and a social calendar that somehow fills itself. That’s why what you do outside lectures matters so much. Your free time is where your energy comes back, your stress levels drop and your motivation resets!

At TOTUM, we help students use their downtime to support their health and wellbeing while keeping spending under control with a student discount card, Cashback and a verified PASS ID card. With the right mix of activities and the right discounts, your time off can work harder for you.

Here’s a practical, student-friendly guide to entertainment options that help you recharge properly.

Why Your Free Time Affects Your Wellbeing

Taking breaks from study improves concentration, memory and mood. Regular movement, social connection and relaxation all play a role in maintaining mental wellbeing. Entertainment is not a distraction from academic success. It supports it!

When you plan your free time well, you often notice:

• Better focus in lectures

• Lower stress around deadlines

• Improved sleep

• More stable energy levels

• Stronger social support

That’s why building healthy entertainment habits is worth it!

Get Active in Ways That Feel Fun

Physical activity doesn’t have to mean intense gym sessions. Entertainment can be active and enjoyable at the same time. A walk with friends, a casual sports game or a beginner fitness class all count.

Many students find that moving their body after lectures clears mental fog and improves their mood for the rest of the day. Even short bursts of activity between study blocks can help you reset mentally.

You can explore local gyms, sports centres and fitness studios that offer student card pricing through your student discount card. TOTUM students often use their membership to reduce the cost of gym access, sportswear and equipment, making it easier to stay consistent:

• Get 25% off 12 Month Student Product with The Gym Group

• Save £10 off your First Month + No Joining Fee + up to 25% Student Discount with Fitness First

• Enjoy up to 35% off training & gym sale with Nike

• Get Up to 50% + 10% off high-quality protein, supplements, and nutrition essentials with Myprotein

Social Entertainment That Recharges You

Social time is a major part of student wellbeing. Spending time with people who make you laugh and feel supported helps regulate stress and builds resilience during demanding academic periods.

Some social entertainment is high energy, like events and nights out. Other social time is quieter and more restorative, like coffee catch-ups or shared meals. Both gave great value to your wellbeing!

Cinema trips, casual dining and local events are popular options because they’re easy to plan and often included in student discount card offers. Your TOUTUM student card also helps verify eligibility for in-store student deals when you’re out with friends.

With TOTUM, you can enjoy an exclusive discount with Cineworld to get 2 2D tickets at only £14.00! Plus, enjoy discounts on your favourite restaurants and cafes, such as:

• With Deliveroo, get 10% off Wingstop when you spend £20

• Enjoy an Exclusive 10% Off at PAUL Bakery with TOTUM!

• 10% off student discount with Chopstix

• Save 20% at Pizza Hut

...and many more delicious Food and Drink savings with your TOTUM+ Membership!

Experience Days and Adventure Activities

Sometimes you want entertainment that feels bigger than your usual routine. Experience based activities give you something to look forward to and create strong memories with friends!

Adventure parks, climbing centres, escape rooms and outdoor activity venues are popular student choices. These activities combine movement, teamwork and novelty, which is a powerful mix for mental wellbeing.

Through your TOTUM+ membership and Cashback, you access reduced pricing or earn rewards on selected experience providers. That means your day out can support your wellbeing and your budget at the same time. With your TOTUM+, you can enjoy savings by:

• Get tickets from just £21 when you book online with Alton towers

• Enjoy tickets from just £33 when you book online for Thorpe Park

• Earn Cashback at Virgin Experience with TOTUM Cashback

Planning one experience each month gives you a milestone to aim for between coursework deadlines!

Creative Hobbies That Calm Your Mind

Creative entertainment gives your brain a different type of challenge. It shifts you out of academic performance mode and into creative flow. That mental shift reduces stress and supports emotional balance.

Creative downtime can include art, music, writing, cooking or photography. You don’t need to be an expert. The benefit comes from the process, not the outcome.

You can build a simple weekly creative ritual, like Sunday baking or midweek sketching. Using your student card for discounts on books, materials and creative software can help to keep costs manageable!

Also, TOTUM Cashback applies at selected retailers, such as Waterstones, Asda, Argos and Sainsubrys, for when you need to buy your supplies.

Quiet Entertainment and Proper Rest

Not all entertainment needs to be social or active. Quiet entertainment is essential for recovery, especially during exam periods.

Reading fiction, watching a favourite series, listening to podcasts or practising guided relaxation can all help your nervous system settle. These activities improve sleep quality and reduce anxiety when used intentionally. With TOTUM, you can enjoy a free 30 Day Audible trial.

If your week feels overloaded, scheduling one quiet evening with no academic tasks can improve your performance the next day!

Outdoor Time Makes a Real Difference

Spending time outdoors has measurable mental health benefits. Exposure to green space is associated with lower stress and improved mood. Even city parks and gardens count!

Outdoor entertainment can be simple. A picnic with friends, a solo walk with music or a phone-free stroll after lectures can all help you decompress. These habits are easy to maintain and cost very little!

Make Your Free Time Work for You

University is a big chapter of your life, and it goes far beyond the lecture theatre. The habits you build now around rest, movement, social time and creativity shape how you handle pressure and progress towards your goals. Choosing entertainment that supports your health and wellbeing means you’re investing in yourself, not distracting from your studies.

With the right balance and a bit of planning, your time outside lectures can leave you feeling stronger, calmer and more connected. And your TOTUM+ membership is here to help you access opportunities that keep you active, social and inspired. When your downtime supports your wellbeing, everything else becomes easier to manage!