Returning to a college campus for a new academic year can be a real rush—figuratively and literally. After you settle into your new digs, sort out your schedule, spend half your savings on books, and collapse after an insane week of rush, it’s all too easy to feel a little let down.

Having something to look forward to, though, can help you get through the doldrums that come with studying, class, lectures, club meetings, chapter, practice, or whatever else that may be demanding your time. Here are a few easy, inexpensive things you could do with your roommate, classmate, teammate, “Big” or “Little.” Whatever you do, plan some ridiculous fun throughout the school year and look for freebies!

August—On August 8, you could get a little crazy on “Sneak Some Zucchini onto Your Neighbor’s Porch Day,” but you’d probably have a more delicious time making your own, or getting a free, Root Beer Float at A&W restaurants on August 6th. On the 31^st, the world celebrates “National Eat Outside Day” so head to your favorite patio or quad for outdoor snacking with the best of friends.

September—the 19^th is “International Talk like a Pirate Day.” Many Krispy Kreme Donut Shops will give you a free donut for coming in dressed as a Pirate. Don’t have a K-Kreme near you? Split a pie! “National Pepperoni Pizza Day” is the 20^th.

October—Well, it IS kind of hard to trump the fun that comes with Halloween, but earlier in the month, it’s super easy to find a Breast Cancer Awareness Walk. Honor or remember someone special by grabbing a pink ribbon and getting outside in the cooler weather for a 5K with friends.

November—England’s 4^th Earl of Sandwich, John Montagu, supposedly invented the sandwich. On November 3^rd of each year, folks are invited to celebrate this great creation by eating sandwiches for each meal throughout the day. Maybe take your “Little” out for a McDonald’s Egg McMuffin Breakfast Sandwich, enjoy your favorite Subway for lunch with a friend, and then for dinner, make your own favorite creation with your roommates.

December—December 3^rd is “National Roof Over Your Head Day.” Grab a gang of friends to take some donations to your local homeless shelter and help make another person’s life a little easier during the holiday season.

January—Of course, January 1 is “National Hangover Day,” but something to actually look forward to as you return to campus after spending the holidays at home is watching a movie and snacking with buddies on the 19^th or, as some people call it, “National Popcorn Day.”

February—No one needs an excuse to eat chips and salsa, but there actually is a day to celebrate them and that’s February 24^th. It’s a day to give thanks to the creator of tortilla chips! To reuse misshapen tortillas, Rebecca Carranza created tortillas chips in the 1940s out of her family owned factory, El Zarape Tortilla Factory, in Los Angeles, California. Who knew? Tortilla chips are now the official state snack of Texas. In Texas or not, plan a night of chip dippin’ with your best amigos!

March—Before eating that 3.14 pie on “National Pi Day,” plan an evening with Alfred Hitchcock on the 12^th. On this day each year, Hitchcock fans around the globe make sure to watch their favorite flicks. Also, if you think Cinco de Mayo is only for May, think again. Just as many folks imbibe on “Cinco de Marcho.” The 5^th of March, especially in Ireland, “marks the beginning of a 12-day period for people to train their livers for drinking huge amounts of alcohol on St. Patrick’s Day."

April—The 3^rd of April is “World Party Day!” Inspired by the ending of the 1995 novel, Flight: A Quantum Fiction Novel, by Vanna Bonta, the first World Party Day was held around the world in 1996. In Bonta’s novel, a countdown is set to April 3, 2000 when a worldwide synchronized celebration is to occur so look forward to planning your own countdown to April 3—by then, you could celebrate a countdown to summer!

May —You made it through the school year! On May 5^th, gather your roommates, classmates, Littles and Bigs, and teammates to throw your pants out the door in honor of “National No Pants Day!” Then, get the heck out of there and enjoy the summer!