<p>I'm midway through my first semester at University Park and it has been pretty boring so far. Everyone says at Penn State to join a lot of clubs and I did, but they usually meet just once a week and not at all on weekends. This leaves me with a ton of time to do nothing. I hate the nights because everyone is going downtown getting drunk while I just chill at my dorm. One can only take so much time infront of a computer screen. </p>
<p>Also everyone gets so hyped for the football games but frankly I don't really like standing in the bleachers for 4 hours. Maybe it would help if I pregamed beforehand but once again I don't really drink so I can't do that. </p>
<p>I'm just looking for a way to broaden my view of Penn State beyond that of my lousy dorm-room, and especially at on weekends. Any ideas?</p>
<p>Well, there are only seven home games a year so even if one loves football there are still a couple of other hundred days to do stuff.</p>
<p>How about study and do course work? ;)</p>
<p>Other than that, I’m trying to remember what I did in my free time … and remember, this was before we had the Internet …</p>
<p>I played basketball and worked out in White (?) gym a few days a week.
Played tennis during warm weather months.
Went to a club called Mr. B’s.
Went out to eat a few times.
Attended a few plays (The Odd Couple was one).
Went to the Creamery.
Went to a few basketball games and gymnastic meets.
I had a job and had to go to work.
Would meet friends and talk in the dorm lounge.
Would watch SNL and 60 Minutes on TV.
Would go swimming every once in a while.
There was a large park with a lake not too far away, we went there a few times.
There were Fat Tuesday events.
We played backgammon and chess a lot back then.
Went to a few concerts (The Dead, Milestone Jazz Stars)
There were often interesting speakers who came to campus.</p>
<p>I don’t know. Somehow I was never bored. There might be other issues at hand.</p>
<p>My sons are also PSU students – and one does not much like sports. When he isn’t studying, doing errands, or hanging out with his friends in someone’s room, he: watches movies at HUB latenight or the State Theatre. Cruises for vintage books at Webster’s. Goes to a college-age spiritual group at the Pasquerilla Center (I would doubt this, but someone I know runs it, and that’s how I found out he had been going with his gf). Walks through State College to one of the parks on the “town” side of things. Eats. Calls his mother. Works on his portfolio. Reads a free paper. Cleans his room. Goes to volleyball or gymnastics or hockey. Visits the Palmer Art Museum. Goes to the creamery. Hangs out at the alumni center garden. Walks around the Arboretum. Goes to concerts (not old enough for clubs yet). Tries something new, that he thinks he couldn’t possibly like, just to see if maybe he’s wrong. Also plays on his PS3 with friends. Troubleshoots strangers computers while sitting around at the HUB. FB chats his hs friends who are going to other schools. Eats at a different dining commons to break up the monotony. Meets with his dietary coordinator (he has beau coup food allergies, so he can’t drink, either). Gets a flu shot. Walks through buildings he’s never been in, just because he can. </p>
<p>So there are a few ideas. Life is what we make it, but you are not wrong in thinking that sometimes it is boring. If your interest groups aren’t making you interested, try some other ones!</p>
<p>greenbutton-Your son and my daughter do a lot of the same things. </p>
<p>Here are some things my daughter does: works on campus, one volunteer job, one paid. Takes a lot of credits. Swims. Runs for health and for race prep. Tries different restaurants. Hangs with her friends and boyfriend. Plays Killer Bunnies. Goes to concerts and shows. Runs a club, participates in another, plays intramural sports. Wastes time on facebook. Entertains her brother when he visits. Texts her mother. </p>
<p>Some things I did: Played way too much backgammon. Played racquetball. Shopped. Worked off campus at the Nittany Mall. Jumped rope. Went to see Genesis, Todd Rundgren and others. Watched sports, including some football. Went to Mr. C’s and discoed the night away. hahaha. Went to Stone Valley. Danced at the Dance Marathon in the White Building. Watched the Phi Psi 500. Went to Gentle Thursday. </p>
<p>Slipjig, I think we had a similar Penn State experience. I was going to mention backgammon, Stone Valley, Phi Psi 500, Mr. C’s and Gentle Thursday, too! I did go to parties and bars (worked at the Saloon and met my husband at Oldies night at the Gaff) but I didn’t always drink. Had a good time either way. I also went to movies, walked around town and shopped at some cool stores, and just hung out with friends, either at the dorm or maybe for a late night run to the College Diner. The football season is more than half over already. There’s plenty to do any time of the year.</p>
<p>Our son also finds lots to do. He does go to parties and bars but he’s not a big drinker-he does often look out for his friends. He goes to the gym, runs, plays the guitar to chill, belongs to a few clubs and honors groups in his major, does THON, frequents Chipotle and works part time at Kildare’s.</p>
<p>Sanserif-Oh, yes, I spent a fair amount of time at the Gaff and other fine establishments around town. Oldies night, Thursday, right? Class of 1980. </p>
<p>Beachmom21-Yep. My daughter is part of the PSU ID group after swearing she was done with it forever. It surprised me, but she loves the girls (competed with some of them) and this is lowkey. Do you have a dancer?</p>
<p>Slipjig - yup, Thursday nights. My husband and I were introduced to each other by a PSU football player - how Penn State can you get? lol I was Class of 1982.</p>
<p>Slipjig, I do have a dancer-Open U14. Her big brother is a senior and all she talks about is going to Penn State in a few years-LOL. Her brother loves it and it has rubbed off on her for sure. Middle D just applied to PSU and is waiting to hear. It’s not her 1st choice but she does like it and knows she would be very happy there so we shall see what happens. She doesn’t dance but did design her sister’s last two dresses (and SS made them). Glad there is an ID community on campus :)</p>
<p>BeachMom21-Mine “retired” Open U18. She only went to one or comps that year, she liked sports better.<br>
The ID group is a mixed bag of serious and recreational dancers and it sounds like a lot of fun. </p>
<p>It would be cool to have a big Penn State family!</p>
<p>My son does not like football or hard partying. He went to PSU because they offer one of the top two programs in his field. Many make the choice because of the academics and the cost.</p>
<p>As 1moremom stated - there are many reasons a student would choose Penn State that have nothing to do with football or partying. </p>
<p>A friend’s daughter had Penn State #2 on her list because of the women’s volleyball program, but in the end she chose Stanford (parents are both alums and older brother is also there). Another friend’s son is strongly considering Penn State because of the accelerated MD program. Neither of these kids cares about football or partying.</p>
<p>S1 was accepted at 3 other schools; S2 was accepted at 2 others and in all cases PSU was the least expensive actual cost to attend. It just depends on what you are looking at, and what your financial aid packages look like. </p>
<p>S2 wanted a school with a broad gen ed program, lots of activities, aggressive and progressive intern programs and a good undecideds program. Hates sports. Can’t drink. I think a better question is “If all you want to do is party and watch sports, why would you pay to go to college?”</p>
<p>It’s funny, we are going through this as well. Our son is in for the academics, but the party side seems to be why 90% of the people are there. Also looking for more options that don’t include parties. </p>
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