Weekend Plans for the Non-Partygoer

This article is adapted from my post for Her Campus at Chapel Hill. Click here to check it out!

I wouldn’t necessarily call myself a homebody…but if you gave me the choice between getting dressed up for a party or putting on pajamas, ordering something good to eat, and settling in for a movie, I’m probably choosing the pajamas.

Don’t get me wrong—going out every once in a while can be a lot of fun. But I never understood the idea that you have to spend every Friday and Saturday night at a party to have a memorable college experience.

There are sooooo many other ways to spend a weekend.

So, if you’re someone who would occasionally rather skip the party scene, here are a few ideas for making your weekend feel just as fun.

1. Have a Dinner Night

Grab a few friends, pick out some recipes, head to the grocery store, and make dinner together.

It doesn’t have to be anything complicated. In fact, half the fun is figuring it out as you go.

Want to make it a little more interesting? Turn it into a friendly cooking competition.

Take some inspiration from Top Chef, pick up a handful of ingredients that may or may not make sense together, divide everything up, and see what everyone can come up with.

Will you create something amazing? Maybe.

Will you accidentally create something completely inedible? Also maybe.

Either way, you’ll probably have a good story afterward. And honestly, there’s something really nice about sitting around a table with friends, eating something you made together, and actually having time to talk.

2. Try Going On an Adventure

If your group is more “let’s do something” than “let’s stay in,” find an activity that gets everyone out of the house.

Adventure parks, climbing gyms, bowling, mini golf, escape rooms, hiking trails, kayaking, laser tag—you have options. Personally, I love anything that gives me several things to do because apparently my attention span has always belonged to a squirrel.

The point isn’t necessarily to find the most adventurous activity possible, it’s just to try something different. You might discover a new favorite activity—or at the very least, have a hilarious night with your friends.

3. Volunteer Somewhere

Want to spend your weekend doing something that feels a little more meaningful? Volunteer.

Look for an organization in your college town or nearby community and spend a few hours helping out. Food banks, animal shelters, community gardens, neighborhood cleanups, mentorship programs, and local nonprofits are all great places to start.

And there’s a bonus that doesn’t always get mentioned: you might meet some really great people.

One of my college friends actually met her boyfriend while volunteering with Habitat for Humanity, so apparently volunteering can come with unexpected romantic plot twists, too.

Even if you don’t meet your future significant other, you’re still spending your time doing something useful and getting to know a community outside of campus.

That’s a pretty good weekend to me.

4. Explore Your College Town

One of the easiest things to forget when you’re in college is that there’s usually an entire community beyond campus; take a weekend to actually explore it.

Visit a farmers market. Try a restaurant you’ve never been to. Find a local coffee shop. Check out a museum. Wander through a neighborhood you’ve never visited. Go to a street festival or community event.

You don’t necessarily need a big plan. Sometimes the best way to explore somewhere new is to simply pick a direction and see what you find. And if you’re attending college somewhere far from home, this is an especially good way to make your new city start feeling a little more like your city.

5. Have a Cozy Night In

And, of course, sometimes the best weekend plan is no big plan at all (my favorite)!

Invite a few friends over for a movie marathon. Make popcorn. Order takeout. Play board games. Bake something. Put on pajamas and watch an embarrassing amount of television.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with having a quiet weekend! You don’t have to be constantly social to make memories, and you certainly don’t need to feel guilty for wanting some downtime. Sometimes your ideal Friday night really is a blanket, your favorite show, and absolutely nowhere to be.

What’s your go-to weekend plan if you’re not going out?