Small-Town College Life, There is Fun to Be Had

A lot of colleges, and even some universities, are located in small towns where, past nine o'clock in the evening, there isn't a whole lot going on. Still, the lack of nightlife and social activities shouldn't keep you from choosing a school you really love-or complaining to all your friends at bigger colleges that there's nothing to do. Here are a few tips on having fun in a small college town-anywhere!

One of the advantages of going to college in a small town is the ability to walk to most places. So, if bars are your scene, designated driving doesn't become a problem as you can walk home. Even small towns have a downtown area that usually has a few bars or restaurants that offer appetizers/deserts/drinks. Since it's a small town, there might not be a chain restaurant to go to, but there's likely a popular college hangout and you might even find better prices than you would in a bigger city. Also, these places may have bulletin boards or other postings for upcoming events around town. Some may even offer live music as most colleges have student-formed bands or performance groups.

If you live in a small town, even if you go to a small college or university, the school is likely to recognize the need for things to do. Beyond joining organizations yourself, there's usually organization or school-sponsored activities going on. Make sure to frequent bulletin boards or if your school has a Daily Jolt website (check to see at www.dailyjolt.com), these places will list events going on for the week such as plays, dinners, get-togethers, movie showings, games and a variety of activities that can be fun. School-sponsored activities are not always educational. If your school has a Student Union Building, or something similar, there's likely to be event advertisements there as well. Be sure to look around campus. And, if you join some organizations, you'll definitely have activities to keep you occupied. Also, dorms often offer certain activities or outings a few times a month. Check out your residential living calendar to see if anything of interest is going on.

Also, most towns-no matter how small-usually have a 24-hour diner or other establishment. These can be great places to hang out, study for finals, or just enjoy some time away from the dorms. Because these places are open 24-hours, you can go at any time, no matter how late (or early!) it may be. This means, even if other things get boring, you always have somewhere to go. Also, enjoying a little local color can actually be pretty interesting if you enjoy people watching.

Another benefit to living in a small college town is that there is likely to be pretty affordable off-campus housing. Being out of a dorm means you can make your own fun! Throw you and your friends a party-whether it's a quiet dinner get-together, a movie-athon with lots of snacks, or a dance party-it doesn't matter (as long as your considerate to those around you). You can also start your own clubs and have meetings at your apartment (or in your dorm room). You can advertise around school and invite people over, or just invite your friends. If you can't find anything that interests you, make the interesting activity for yourself!

Also, there's always the fun of a road trip. Most places have some larger city that can become a weekend day-trip to go shopping or visiting or to go see a concert or certain event. For special occasions, a little day-trip can be fun. Especially, if you load the car up and split the cost of gas. This keeps the cost low, especially if you don't stay overnight.

There are always lots of things to do, no matter where you live! The key is to keep your eyes open and utilize all your resources. Don't be afraid to ask around and you'll be surprised what a small town can offer in terms of entertainment.