Staying in can be as fun as going out! We know the last year has been difficult for everyone and we hope you are all looking after one another and staying connected, we are in this together!

If you feel like you are close to reaching the end of Netflix (definitely not possible but after putting in some serious screen time in it can feel like it), or if you need to add some excitement to your weekend zoom calls, then we’ve got you covered.

We have come up with some alternative ways for you to stay occupied and entertained whilst at home. These ideas will help you to stay to active, connected and most importantly positive during this unusual time. Don’t forget to comment and let us know what you are up to!

Join Masterclass and expand your skill set

MasterClass is a fantastic platform that offers online classes specifically for students. With over 100 +classes for all skill levels, from business leadership, writing, design to cooking, you can choose what you want to learn from some of the world’s best minds!
There is a small cost of £14.17 per month for a membership but you are guaranteed to make the most out of your money.

Learn a language

Ok, we understand this one may take a while, but remember all those times you said you would pick up another language? Well with more free time than ever what better an opportunity to start. Not just a useful tool for future traveling, but having a second language will also look fantastic on your CV. Duolingo is our go to free downloadable app with fun bite sized, interactive and fun lessons!

If you want to take your learning a step further, challenge yourself by watching foreign series on Netflix with subtitles on. Criminal is a great option with English, French, German and Spanish versions. Others worth checking out include Dark (German), Atelier (Japanese), Call My Agent! (French), and Money Heist (Spanish).

Write a blog for us!

Being at home has allowed us all to have a lot of time to think and we can all probably agree there has been a lot of daydreaming going on! So, why not make use of some of your free time by bringing pen to paper and writing a blog?

Whether you are a writer or not, blogs can be as informal and fun as you like! Just pick a topic which you are passionate about or you can write about an experience in your life like a past travelling adventure or a new hobby you have taken up – anything which is positive and fun will get any reader engaged.

At Novel, we are always on the lookout for student bloggers, so please make sure you send your blogs over to us – we would love to read them!

Host a virtual murder mystery or an online escape room

If you’re looking for an alternative to Zoom quizzes, we’ve found it! And let’s be honest, we all probably feel like we could do with a bit of escapism right now! Can you solve the clues and unmask the culprits?

Here is a selection of free online escape rooms: Hogwarts Digital Escape Room, The Mystery of Time and Space, Crimson Room

OR host your own whodunnit mystery and help raise money for charities like MacMillan.

Live stream the Northern Lights

You may not be able to go out and explore, but you can most certainly still take virtual tours of some of the most beautiful wonders of the world, from your sofa of course. Whether you are an animal lover, adventurer or just love exploring, take a look at the explore.org live nature and animal cams from around the globe.

So, there you go, a few more activities to keep you busy whilst at home! And if you choose to book a brand-new apartment at Novel, we can guarantee we are always keeping the boredom at bay. From wellbeing workshops, inspiring talks to yoga sessions, we run a calendar of weekly events ensuring there is always something fun for you to get involved in – don’t miss out, book now!