Despite what popular culture would like you to believe, there is more to college than partying. In fact, as a junior, some of my most meaningful and fun memories had absolutely nothing to do with partying. Like the time my best friend and I climbed all the way up the trees outside our dorm in the dark and then lied in the grass and talked. Or the time freshman year, when after hours of waiting our essays my friends and I drove to iHop in the middle of night, ate a bunch of food, and blasted music with the windows down on the way back. My point is, there are so many ways to have fun that don't involve partying but it can be difficult to realize this as a freshman overwhelmed with new people offering new perspectives and opportunities left and right.
1. Have a sleepover
Push you and your roommate's beds together and invite a couple of friends over to come and cuddle on the mega bed! Turn off the lights and turn on the traditional college dorm white Christmas lights. Stalk up on a bunch off food and put on your favorite movies. You'll probably end up doing more talking about life than watching movies and it'll be a memory to last a lifetime surrounded by good company.
2. A late night soccer game
You know the intramural field at your school that's always being used during the day? I bet it's empty in the middle of the night. Round up a bunch of friends and grab a soccer ball and start a pick up game sometime after midnight. You'll get to run around in the cool evening. Conclude the night by lying in the grass and looking up at the stars.
3. Attend an event put on by your school
Your school most likely has fun events that it plans for students, although they might sound lame, anything can be made fun with the right attitude and more importantly, the right people. Go with your friends and make the best of it. Participate in all the events and have fun!
4. Actually get some homework done
Stick with me here. If you spend all night getting your homework done, you'll be ahead and then you won't have to stress later about anything and you won't have work to do. That means in the long time, more fun and less street for you. It's difficult to see the long term outcome when all you want to do is escape the library, but the satisfaction will be worth it.
5. Bake!
If you don't have a kitchen in your own dorm, there's bound to be a shared one somewhere that you can access. Go to the grocery store and buy a ton of baking good and get to work. It can be terribly fun and plus you'll have a ton of cookies/cupcakes to share with your friends, professors, or family!
Sometimes when you first get to college, the party scene can seem overwhelming and like that's all there is when truly there is so much more. When you get to know your campus (and the people in it) better, you'll learn that there are people like you who enjoy more than just a rage on a Friday night. And most importantly, if you don't want to go to a party, don't go.
