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• Top 5 things to do on a "staycation"

With gas prices skyrocketing and the dollar plummeting in value, more and more people are canceling their summer vacation and opting instead for a staycation. Here are some great ways to celebrate summer in Champaign-Urbana without blowing that limited college student budget.

Watch the UEFA Cup

This is a great option for all you would be European jet-setters who didn’t feel like paying exorbitant fees to check your luggage, let alone to fly. All June, ESPN2 and ESPN Classics are showing the European soccer cup. You can get the whole European “football” hooligan experience right from your own couch.

Check out the CU music scene

Didn’t have enough money to splurge on pricy Lollapalooza tickets this year? Champaign-Urbana has a plethora of exciting options in which you can indulge. Every Thursday, Cowboy Monkey in Champaign features great local bands and cover is free.

Go to CRCE

Looking to catch some summer rays but can’t seem to find a place to do it? If you are signed up for at least three hours of class, you can do it for free at the campus recreation center. CRCE has a nice patio area full of sun chairs to soak up the sun and perhaps even…

Read a book you WANT to read

A college student’s daily life is never short of dense textbook material during the school year. Summer is time to finally pick up that book that you’ve been eyeing and enjoy reading again.

Experiment with some recipes

Instead of just watching the Food Network for hours, prepare one of the recipes that you think looks good. Use all the money you saved on gas and tickets to treat yourself to some homemade fine dining.