Someone gave me a piece of advice before I left for college that I never really took seriously until recently: "Don't say no to anything, unless it's dangerous or illegal." I ignored it because anyone who knows me knows that I don't even know how to do anything illegal, but more importantly because I thought I had enough balance in my life to think that I'll squeeze fun time in sooner or later.
Eventually, I realized that the easiest way to make new friends or bond with those you already have is by doing stupid things together at the most random times possible. So I stopped saying "No, I have homework" or "No, I should really get some sleep" or "No, you guys are idiots why would I want to ding-dong-ditch a frat house" and started saying "yes" and joining in the spontaneity. I think taking opportunities offered to you is essential in making connections with people that you can value for a lifetime, no matter how dumb the plan sounds at the moment.
Say yes to your friends who want Sonic at 2 a.m. Magical things happen at that drive-in. You enter as just a couple of acquaintances wanting some half priced milkshakes and leave as best friends. Thank you, slow Sonic servers, for taking your sweet time so that friendships can be made. I raise my melted half-price milkshake to you.
There is always time for a frat lap. Always. Driving by all the frat houses with the windows down and Taylor Swift blaring from the radio is a type of bonding you can only experience for four years; take advantage of it.
Go out with your friends on a random weekday night. Nothing bonds people together faster than free cover or free drinks and "Uptown Funk" on repeat.
Whataburger has breakfast from 11 p.m. to 11 a.m. for a reason. Saying no to driving 30 minutes away for a honey butter chicken biscuit and missing out on a long car ride of multiple jam seshes should be a crime. So what if you have a test in the morning? You can study when you get back and make up for lost sleep the next day. It'll be worth it, I promise.
I'm not saying you should procrastinate completely. If you really have to study for a test then by all means stay home and turn off your phone. But school work isn't always everything. You won't get offered life changing opportunities or cool job just for having a 4.0. Meeting people or doing things with friends can give you connections later in life that will benefit you in the long run. Plus, you'll leave college with tons of friends and never have to experience FOMO.
You'll never look back later in life and tell stories about that time you stayed in and studied for your Western Civ exam. Go out and make memories you want to tell your kids about one day, the ones that are worth reminiscing about. Just say "yes."
