Closing time: Here's how to navigate last call for Dry January

This past month, many students have been practicing Dry January and abstaining from alcohol. Even though the month is nearly over, it's still a good time to try out some new activities on campus.

Participating in these activities can help you embrace the Dry January challenge and even introduce some new healthy habits that will remain in your routine for the rest of the year. Whether you do these activities solo or invite friends along, it's important to prioritize wellness and discover more about yourself.  

Go to the gym

Dry January is the perfect time to get back into the gym, especially if your focus for this month is personal growth. Seeing the progress you make in the gym will be incredibly rewarding for your well-being. 

Also, there's a recreation center conveniently located near each campus, so you won't have to face any long, inconvenient commutes.

If going to the gym alone is too daunting, grab a friend and go together. Or, if you need the extra help, attend a fitness class, offered at all four recreation centers.

Try making mocktails

Dry January is synonymous with the art of mocktails, drinks that don't need alcohol to be enjoyable. If this month is especially hard for you because you miss the taste of cocktails or having something to sip on, mocktails are the perfect alternative to incorporate into your nights.

There are so many mocktail recipes to try, whether it's something classic, perhaps a Shirley Temple or a virgin mojito, or maybe something more refined, like a pomegranate rosemary spritzer or a blackberry basil mule. 

Join a club

Dry January aligns with the start of the spring semester, meaning clubs are just getting started for the year. Now is the perfect time to join a new club that sparks your interest and occupies your time. 

Some clubs offer the opportunity to give back to the community, like Craft to Cure, which allows you to make and decorate crafts to donate to various communities. There is also Stitch for Life, where you can learn to crochet and knit creations for people in need.

Or, if you're looking for something more light-hearted, join the Swift Society and talk about all things Taylor Swift or check out Muggle Mayhem, a club all about "Harry Potter."

Try new restaurants 

There are many restaurants to try on and around Rutgers—New Brunswick, whether they're on Easton Avenue, George Street, any of the dining halls or other meal-swipeable options. Take Dry January as an opportunity to try new foods and restaurants. 

You can make this more fun for yourself and come up with rankings of new restaurants you try. Or, take friends with you to places you already enjoy and try food you would never previously get. 

Dry January does not have to mean staying in — try exploring different cuisines offered on campus and the surrounding New Brunswick area. 

Check out a movie at Rutgers Cinema

Watching a movie is both time-consuming and entertaining, so if you want to spend your time doing something exciting, check out a movie at the Rutgers Cinema on Livingston campus. 

Currently, there are multiple showtimes for the new movies "Poor Things," "Anyone But You" and "Mean Girls." So, grab some friends, buy some popcorn or slurpees and watch some movies to make your month more enjoyable. 

Dry January, while hard to accomplish for some, does not have to be dreary at all. There are many on-campus activities for you to participate in to make this month just as fun as any other one. This month, you can focus on your well-being, hobbies and interests outside of drinking.