I’m not a partier. Went to three very different parties and overall didn’t enjoy it. Sure I was happy in the moment, but I also found myself tired and not really making many friends (I don’t drink at all. Not even allowed to touch alcohol due to religion, so people generally sought out others to hold their drinks).
Anyway, my closest friends here all go to bed around 10/11, which means I don’t do anything. I usually just drive home and come back early the next day. At least at home I can hangout with my siblings and parents. I’m in a couple clubs, but all meet before 8. I’ve asked a couple people to hangout, but most want to smoke weed or drink or go to frat parties, which again just isn’t my thing. The city closes around 9/10, so there isn’t much to do other than clubs and parties tbh. Yes, I 100% realize not everyone is into those three things. I realize there are about 20,000 other students here and not all of them fall into those categories. But I’m just reporting what I’ve experienced.
So, what do you do? Do you study? I want real suggestions please. Thanks!
Maybe play board games or have movie night in your room or in a central lounge area. There are probably other people who would like something else to do. Popcorn, hot cookies, soft drinks and chips. Start early enough with your closest friends and have them each bring one other bored person. If there is an RA, that person could help you plan things and maybe provide the budget for the snacks.
@vkugal I second TQfromtheU’s suggestions - I also don’t smoke/drink, and never went to a frat party. You could invite some friends and have a movie/game night or watch/play sports, go to a nice restaurant, etc.
The only person telling you that you’re not allowed to touch alcohol is you. Now that you’re away at college, you can always re-evaluate whether subscribing to a strict set of religious beliefs is really worth it when there’s a high chance the religion you picked (I mean your parents probably picked it) could be wrong.
HOWEVER
I also want to contrast that by saying frat parties are pretty wack. So you’re not necessarily missing much there.
But if you’re not interested in that:
I like board games that incorporate long term strategy into it like Settlers of Catan. I also like video games of various sorts, and other fun night time activities include (but are not limited to) laser tag, go to a nice restaurant, go bowling, ice skating, swimming if that’s an option.
EDIT: You could try to find clubs with similarly religious people since they might not drink. Or just clubs that are centered around fun activities so you can plan stuff out.
Theater people and radio stations keep late hours. If you join one of the activities you will have people to hang out with after working on a show. The board game suggestion is also good.