With freshers’ flu on the horizon, many of you might prefer to stay in and enjoy the comfort of your flat rather than face the windy outside. Instead of turning to Netflix, why not bond with your flatmates or friends whilst playing a boardgame? Here’s a list of classics that will make for an entertaining evening. 

There is no safer bet than picking Monopoly as it has been a family favourite for years. The game involves buying and selling properties, so that the other players go bankrupt. There are many versions available ranging from different cities to various Disney films, even the University of Leeds has one.   

Your analytical skills will come in handy when playing Cluedo. The murder mystery game takes place at a dinner party, during which someone was killed. The aim of the game is to identify the murderer, the weapon, and the room where the event happened. By making accusations and getting information from the other players, you slowly begin to eliminate the wrong answers.

A good way of getting really close to your flatmates is by playing Twister. Not only will this be a great bonding exercise, but you can also work on your coordination at the same time. 

If you are not a fan of board games, there is a wide range of card games you could play instead. Companies love to give out playing cards at freshers’ fair, so someone you know will probably have a deck you could borrow. Alternatively, UNO is a fun game to play due to its fast pace, and the new braille version makes it even more inclusive.  

There are other ways to learn than just by going to that dreaded 9AM lecture – try playing Trivial Pursuit instead. Questions come from six different categories, and the players need to correctly answer one from each section in order to win. Whether you guess the answers or impress everyone with your knowledge, this game will surely teach you something new. 

Kinga Glasek