Greetings, first-years! Welcome to Elizabethtown College, the land of rolling hills and sweet scents of chocolate. If you haven’t already noticed, our campus is one of rural Pennsylvania’s hidden gems … but, as you may have begun to realize, finding fun and legal activities in which to take part requires a bit of creativity. However, Campus Security will thank you for being smart, safe and respectful of other students and our beautiful facilities.
1. Chill at the Blue Bean. This may seem like an obvious one, but it truly is one Etown’s most pleasant nooks. Many of us take advantage of this space for serious study time and group work, but it also makes an awesome venue for relaxed hangouts. Try popping in at a less hectic hour and take advantage of the comfy chairs and specialty drinks! Invite a couple friends to chat and catch up, or bring your favorite book and lose yourself for a couple hours. Quiet chill time is a precious resource for those of us who are primarily focused on academics.
2. Explore the outdoors. You don’t need to be Survivor Man in order to get out of the dorm once in a while. On sunny days, take a blanket and find a comfy patch of lawn to claim for a few hours. Play your favorite childhood board game with a group of friends, or try forming a ukulele quartet … just kidding (not really). You can also venture out of the immediate area for fun adventures outdoors, like swimming at Mount Gretna Lake (20 minute drive from campus).
3. Check out campus events. You’re probably sick of being bombarded with information about all the speakers and activities coming up on the calendar, but take it from someone whose introverted tendencies have caused a lot of regret — it’s always worth it to try something new. Whether it’s a sporting event, a movie, a Bowers speaker or a concert, you are getting the chance to do something fun and different for little or no cost. Plus, you might meet a new friend or two!
4. Recruit your dorm buddies for a fun night in. What’s more exciting than having a midnight pancake party in your pajamas? (Probably a lot of things, but it sounds pretty great to me.) Plan a movie night, fashion show or video game tournament and spend some quality time with your neighbors. It’s a great way to meet new people and become better acquainted with your living space.
5. Sightsee in the surrounding area. Sure, Etown is small, but it has plenty of character! Let’s be honest; you probably wouldn’t have applied here if you weren’t at least somewhat comfortable with small town life. Visit local shops and eateries and enjoy Etown’s unique charm. If you’re up for a short drive, Lancaster is also a great place to spend a free afternoon or evening. Wherever you end up going, remember that there are plenty of undiscovered destinations in the area; sometimes you just need to do a little hunting.
6. Try out fun off-campus activities. If you’re looking for something a bit more upbeat and exciting, try one of the nearby theme parks or fun centers. Hershey Park is an absolute requirement for Etown students and even offers options for those of us on a tight budget. There are also venues for laser tag, go karts, miniature golf and roller skating within a half-hour radius. These are great options for when you just want to unwind, laugh and spend time with close friends.
7. Join or start a club on campus. College students have an extremely wide variety of hobbies and interests, and Etown reflects that through its eighty-plus clubs and organizations ranging from a cappella groups to religious organizations to intramural sports. Seek out your desired area of involvement, and if you can’t find something you like, start something yourself! This is one of the best ways to connect with like-minded peers and take part in your favorite activities. In many cases, it can also end up being a great resume builder.
Hopefully, this list will provide some inspiration for how to spend your down time at Etown. We all have our own ideas of what college life should be like, but ultimately we will thank ourselves for staying safe and out of trouble. A bit of creativity and a willingness to try new things will open lots of fun opportunities for creating awesome memories of your undergraduate experience.
