Monday, April 5, 2021

A Weekend in the Life of a UVA Student

Thursday
At UVA, it starts to feel like the weekend on Thursday. Many students don’t have classes on Friday, so Thursday nights you can start to relax and celebrate the end of the week! The Corner restaurants often have food deals for students; one of my favorites is Trinity Irish Pub, which serves burgers and Bold Rock Hard Cider (if you are 21+, of course) for $3 each on Thursdays! It’s so cheap and delicious. Many student organizations will hold social events both on and off-grounds as a way to kick off the weekend. If I have a class or important meeting on Friday, I’ll spend my night in, preparing and getting a good night’s sleep.
Students often frequent restaurants on the Corner, especially on the weekends. Photo via cavalierdaily.com

Friday

For me, Friday mornings usually means Bodo’s Bagels! Whether it’s meeting up at the beloved bagel shop to chat with friends after a long week, or heading to the lawn where a fourth year lawnie shares bagels outside their room, I love this routine. Then, if I don’t have class, I’ll head to the library to get ahead on work for the next week. Friday is usually the day I work on group projects for classes, because people tend to have the most free time on that day. After being productive, I’ll head out for dinner and make plans for other evening social events with friends. The University Programs Council often hosts concerts, food nights, and other events to attend often for free! For example, in the fall semester of 2019, my friend and I went to a Still Woozy concert at the Jefferson Theatre on the Downtown Mall, put on by UPC!
Photo from the Still Woozy concert in the Jefferson Theatre!


















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Saturday
For a lot of UVA students, Saturday means game day. Whether it's football season, basketball season, or anything in between, this can mean tailgates, spirit gear, or even just an excuse to pick up free food at one of the less mainstream sporting events. These games are a great, free way to bond with your friends or hallmates, but if sports aren’t your thing, there are a ton of other things happening on Saturdays, too. One of my personal favorites is the farmers market, which happens downtown every Saturday morning-- you can get lots of awesome food and produce from local Charlottesville businesses. 

Scott Stadium is often packed with fans for an evening football game!

A typical Saturday at the Charlottesville Farmers Market near the Downtown Mall. Photo via visitcharlottesville.org

Sunday
While this day is often referred to as the “Sunday Scaries” because you are getting ready for upcoming exams and papers in the week, Sundays can also be quite rejuvenating! I love getting my Sunday morning started with a good breakfast or a run or workout if I have time. Then, I’ll head to one of the 13 libraries to hunker down and study. I love taking coffee breaks either at the Starbucks on-grounds or Grit Coffee on the Corner. If you have a religious practice, you can find a church or place of worship that suits you. There is a diverse variety of religious services held both on and off-grounds. You can learn more about religious life at UVA here. Personally, I attend Christ Episcopal Church in Charlottesville; after the service, the church serves an amazing free dinner! It’s such a great way for me to rest and fuel myself before and after studying on Sunday.

Students studying in an academic building with plenty of tables and snacks available!