My Favorite Stress Reliever at Fordham

Okay, so I've had the absolute BEST time at Fordham these past two and a half years. I've made amazing friends that I know I'll have for the rest of my life and memories that I know I'll never forget. From city trips, to birthdays, to just hanging out with friends in the caf for hours, there's never a dull moment.

This isn't to say it's all fun and no work, though! Fordham is great, but like at any challenging university, you're going to be stressed from time to time. You'll have exams, papers, midterms (all three at once sometimes??), and it can get a bit hectic. But don't worry! It's totally doable and you'll get through it like all of us do.

Everyone has a stress reliever, especially in college. Whether it's meditation, yoga, reading, drawing, etc. I picked up my stress reliever my freshman year at Fordham, and it's running in the New York Botanical Gardens! It's so very conveniently located across the street from campus.

One of the trails! I can't wait for spring!!

The Botanical Gardens are BEAUTIFUL, and with spring coming up I can't stop thinking about it. After class or on a Saturday morning it's a great feeling to put your sneakers on and go for a nice run in one of the most stunning places I've ever been. Not a runner? The "botans" is still awesome even just for a casual stroll!

Nothing like a nice run with some friends!

When you come here in the fall, make SURE to check this place out; it's a Fordham staple. And an extra bonus, Fordham students get in for free!

Intramural Sports

One of Fordham's most popular recreational activities is intramural sports.  Three seasons of sports are held each year, with each season boasting three different sports.  Fall sports include flag football, soccer, and softball.  Winter teams are for volleyball, basketball, and dodgeball.  Spring sports are soccer, softball, and kickball.  (See more information here!)  Students can choose a sport, create a team, and play for whichever league they choose!

Besides being a fun release and a great nighttime break, intramural sports can serve as a great way to meet people.  In my freshman residence hall, an intramural soccer team was formed through a sign-up sheet in a community lunge during the first few weeks of the fall semester, allowing students with similar interests to meet and enjoy the game.

A recent night in the Lombardi Fieldhouse, where intramural volleyball
(far court) & basketball (first court) games were taking place!

Back in November, I joined a few friends on a Winter League Co-Rec Intramural Volleyball team (the Serve-ivors!).  Although our experience in playing volleyball varied from player to player, we enjoyed seeing our team improve over the course of the season.  We typically had one game each week, and the trips over to the Lombardi Fieldhouse served as a nice break from doing schoolwork for a little while.

Although we wound up losing in our first playoff game, we had a lot of fun playing each week, and we learned how fun intramural sports can be.

10 Things To Do For Under $10

Worried that living in a city will be hard on your wallet? Here are a few activities that Fordham students can do for less than $10!

1. Support the Rams and head to a game!

All campus games are free for students to attend- football, basketball, baseball- you name it! Going to games is a fun way to take a break from schoolwork and support your fellow Rams. Very often there are free giveaways at games such as Fordham t-shirts, hats, and signs.

   2. Cappuccinos and cannolis on Arthur Avenue

A dessert date on Arthur Avenue is an inexpensive, fun, and delicious way to spend a Sunday afternoon. Grab a friend and head to Palumbo’s Bakery to receive 20% off your treat with your Fordham ID. Eighty-cent mini cannolis? Count me in!

3. Explore the New York Botanical Gardens

Open Tuesday through Sunday, the Botanical Gardens offer free entrance to all Fordham Students. Located right across from Fordham’s Rose Hill campus entrance, the Botanical Gardens is a great place to go for a walk with friends or take an afternoon jog.

4. Go to the zoo! (On Wednesdays)

Every Wednesday, the iconic Bronx Zoo is open to the public free of charge (although donations are much appreciated). Take a walk with some friends to see all the animals and be careful to watch out for wandering peacocks.

    5. Experience Central Park

A couple minutes walk from the Lincoln Center campus, Central Park is perfect for playing ball, having a catch, or going for a run or walk with friends. Hop on the Ram Van for only $3 and you are just blocks away from 843 acres of beautiful greens, ponds, and paths.

6. Take an exercise class

The Ram Fit Center offers free exercise classes for all students Monday through Friday- including spin, yoga, strength, conditioning, and dance classes. No signups are necessary and classes are fun, encouraging, and taught by certified instructors. This semester’s class schedule can be found online here.

    7. Go to the Metropolitan Museum of Art or the AmericanMuseum of Natural History (or both!)

Take a $2.50 subway ride to Manhattan and check out two of New York’s most famous museums. Both museums have suggested admission rates, but have a “pay what you want policy”. Toss in a $5 donation and explore centuries of art and American history.

8. Play squash

Rainy day? Make use of Fordham’s Squash facilities by heading to the Lombardi center and request a couple balls and rackets for a game of squash with friends all free of charge. Bring a bathing suit and hop in the pool to cool off after your game.

9. Order tacos!

Estellita's chicken fajitas and guacamole 

Order $2 tacos for delivery from the Fordham student favorite restaurant Estrellita’s on Arthur Avenue. Add in an order of fresh homemade guacamole and chips for an inexpensive break from campus food. Hmmm hmmm hmmm good. 

10. Follow and like Campus Activities Board (CAB)

Stay up to date on campus happenings by following CAB on Twitter and liking them on Facebook. The student run club is always hosting various free or minimal cost events open to all Fordham Students. Movies are played on a weekly basis in Keating’s largest auditorium and Broadway tickets are raffled off each month. CAB also hosts fun events such as Bingo nights, comedy shows, and even trips to the Empire State Building.

The moral of the story is you do not have to bust your wallet to have fun and eat well as a Fordham student in New York City! Both the city and Fordham offer many activities for students of all interests. Tomorrow, for example, I am going to sign up with free Yankee game tickets through CAB!  

The McGinley Fitness Center

One of my favorite places to be on campus is in Fordham's new state-of-the-art McGinley Fitness Center.  The gym opened just last October and contains over 1,800 square feet of cardio space equipped with elliptical machines, stationary bikes, and treadmills. Each machine even has its own television which I like to watch the news in the morning on my morning treadmill run or elliptical stride. Additionally, there are strength machines along the perimeter of the gym and a separate heavier weight room to really pump some iron. The facility also houses two group exercise studios: a 1,100 square foot main studio and a spin studio for weekly group exercise classes.

View from the Corner Elliptical Machine at 7:30am on a Weekday 

Mastering Yoga Poses 

The Spin Room (Minus the Spinners)

Exercise classes are a great way to de-stress and take an hour break from schoolwork. And the best part is that all classes are free for all full time Fordham students! A schedule is made up each semester consisting of a variety of Zumba, yoga, spin, and strength classes offered Monday through Friday. No signups are necessary and students can pop in to any class convenient for them. My favorite classes are the spinning classes, which consist of an hour of biking and encouragement from the instructor while jamming out to an upbeat playlist. Some instructors are certified students, and others are certified trainers. With finals coming up shortly, I will definitely be attending a least a couple of spin and yoga classes to get my mind and body focused for the hours of studying to come!

The New York Experience

From tasting the Bronx's best pizza, to attending Brooklyn's coolest concerts, to biking through Manhattan, find out how Fordham students are taking advantage of the greatest city in the world.