I had an epiphany in the last week, and it was a simple one. Though people may, and probably will attempt to shame me for this belief, but partying in college should be one of the things you do while you are here.

I am not saying that you need to go absolutely crazy every single day, let alone the typical weekends that many college students across the country partake in. However, going out to a party, most times no matter where it is, is a good way to put yourself out there to many people that perhaps you do not either see during the normal week. Or maybe to put yourself out there with that person that you haven’t been able to work up the courage to talk to.

I am not going to say that I don’t understand/respect people who will say that this is not a good quality in not just college, but also in life. But, in a week of classes, meetings, as well as the assignments that you have to do while in that class spanning all majors, people need to be able kick it and relax.

For me, that is a weekend with Natty Light, everybody I have come to know and appreciate here at college, and great music to just let loose, and not have to be concerned with what else is going on in life. At that point in time, I don’t have to be concerned with many of the struggles of assignments, home life, relationship issues, or simply put: problems in general.

Again, I know I am going to receive flak for being open about the crucial role, in my opinion, that parties play while here at college. Many of the greatest friends I know up here, excluding my fraternity brothers because I see most of them throughout the week anyway, were met at a party at this house, or that house. We are people who want to have fun and enjoy our time/freedom in college.

No, we do care about our grades, and our image not only on this campus, but in the general world. However, we decided that part of our success in college isn’t figured out just by looking at your GPA, or how many organizations you were apart of, rather it also determined by your ability to withstand the long nights of studying, and cramming for homework assignments, quizzes, and exams, as well as projects throughout the semester, and to be able to get together with your friends, classmates, brothers, sisters, whoever, and cut loose looking back on the hard work you put in.

Two phrases come to mind when writing this, working hard, and playing harder is one of them. We, as human beings, want to live our lives to the fullest, and have fun, however we define fun. Many college students, as said before, do this through partying. The other phrase is a simple one that states, “ Never get so busy making a living that you forget to make a life.” Life is a series of events, like a novel, and if you want to have a New York Times Bestseller then you will have to not only make a good attempt to build the story, but to add content that will draw more than just the typical group of readers to what you are saying and doing throughout life.

I am not trying to say this is what I came to college to do, but if you think I come here to sit with my head in a book the entire time, you have been missing out on the kind of person I like to think I am. I am here at college for both an education, and the socialization I gained, and enjoy through firstly my fraternity, as well as partying.

I will leave you with this, I do not want to disrespect anyone, especially the faculty and administration at Mansfield University, the school where I will forever have my fondest memories. Those distinguished ladies, and gentlemen, should, and I believe they would understand the views that I have concerning this topic, college partying is vital to the success of the college student, and being able to spend a night or two not worrying about class, family issues, or other personal problems is something that I 110% believe in.