College is unlike any other time in your life. Immersed in education and surrounded by throngs of new people, the opportunities to expand your intellectual capabilities and social networks are abundant. During your time at BYU-Idaho, a good portion of your time is spent attending classes and studying. While a strong focus on your education is a high priority, it is also important to balance your time in college with the opportunities to enrich your experience by forming new friendships, having new experiences, and discovering new interests. Exploring the many student activities available at BYU-Idaho can lead to learning more about yourself as you try new things and make new connections with your fellow students.
Each year, BYU-Idaho offers over 3,000 activities for you to enrich your life, allowing you to take a healthy break now and again from studying and coming back to your books refreshed and inspired. There is something for everyone on campus. Many activities and events are free for students, while some charge a small fee with your student card. Read below to get a sense of the wide variety of activities you can get involved with on campus.
Staying Well
When you feel good, often everything else seems to start to fall into place. The BYUI Wellness Center offers many free classes and workshops for you to take care of yourself and feel your best. Enjoy the benefits of reduced stress, improved mood, and higher energy when you take advantage of these valuable offerings.
Fitness Classes
The following are just some of the fitness classes that are offered for free to students through the Wellness Center:
- Yoga
- Cycling
- Aerobics
- Dance Fitness
- Kickboxing
- Breakdance
- Jiu-Jitsu
- HIIT
- High Dance
- Fencing
- Step
- Cross-Training
The Wellness Center also offers workshops on a variety of topics such as Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction and Healthy Dating (both of which are free for students). There is also a series on anxiety/depression which costs $25 for eight weeks. Stay well and balanced all year long by taking advantage of these great programs and more.
Personal Development
Devotionals and Speeches
Taking out time to nourish your mind and spirit with words of wisdom from leading voices and figures in our greater community is always a good practice. Throughout the year, BYU-Idaho hosts several devotional events and speeches to help you stay inspired, connected, motivated, and focused on what is most important to you in your life path. Be sure to check out the schedule of great speakers headed our way.
Career Center
The campus Career Center also regularly hosts events to help you get a leg up on your future. Discover available career opportunities by attending the Career Market on Thursday afternoons where ten employers are present each week for you to network with. The career center also holds information sessions with individual employers to get a more in-depth look at what it is like to work with them. You can also sharpen your career-building abilities with the Career Center’s various skill-building workshops on topics such as resume writing and effectively using Linked In.
Life Skill Workshops
Looking for a fun and rewarding way to get involved and be of service? I-Serve hosts regular workshops specifically for developing life skills with our special needs community. Come join to participate or volunteer!
Social
Of course, no college experience would be complete without ample opportunities to get out there and socialize. Having fun with new friends is one of the parts you will treasure most about your BYU-Idaho memories. You never know when the connections you make in your apartments, interest groups, and recreational activities can develop into a lifelong friendship or a professional connection in your future career. So be sure to take some time to get out and enjoy some of the many fun and interesting activities available to you as part of the BYU-Idaho Student Body.
Home Evening Activities
The Home Evening is a time for students living together in apartments to enjoy activities as a group. You can get some great ideas here and register your group for upcoming events. The Home Evening activities fall into the following categories: Social, Recreational, Service, and Self-Service. Participating together with your apartment group is a rewarding way to strengthen your connections with one another and find enrichment together.
Dance Classes
Learning a new form of dance with friends is another fun option you can jump into. The MC Ballroom hosts a variety of dance classes from Latin to Ballroom to Country dance! The cost of entry for students is $2 ($3 for those without a student card). You can get your tickets here.
Game Nights
Thursday nights at Manwaring Center is Game Night! There are many games to choose from ranging from Dungeons and Dragons to Magic The Gathering to Checkers and much more. Even laser tag is available. You are welcome to bring your own games as well. This is a free event.
Ropes Course
The ropes course is a great way to challenge yourself and engage in team-building activities. Make reservations in advance to experience the three-story ropes course, zip line, and free-fall device.
Outdoor Adventure
Campus Recreation hosts regular outdoor events so you can get out and explore the natural beauty of Rexburg and beyond with your fellow students. Check out the calendar for a complete list of dates. Here is a sample of some of the events that you can be on the lookout to register for:
- Caving
- Rock Climbing
- Canoeing and Picnic
- Hiking and Picnic
Other Activities
There are even more activities and events available! Did we mention BYU-Idaho offers 3000 events per year? Here are a few more to put on your radar:
Do you enjoy performing or want to practice getting comfortable on stage? Come to the free weekly open mic night on Tuesdays. Fancy a good game of pool? Enjoy billiards night on Thursdays. It is also free to attend and equipment is provided. Looking for some late-night entertainment? MC Late Night happens on Fridays and features different shows and games each week. The cost to students is $4 and you can reserve your tickets here.
Where To Start?
Now that we have summarized many of the ways you can get involved at BYU-Idaho, ask yourself, “What would I like to try first?” Is there an activity on campus you have been meaning to attend, and you have not made it yet? Now is a great time to put it in your schedule so you don’t miss your next opportunity. Your time at BYU-Idaho and the memories you carry with you will be forever enhanced by your participation.
Living at Sunrise Village means you're really close to campus! Take advantage of all the campus activities you can to enrich your college experience and maybe even make a few new friends along the way.