In college it often seems like when you’re not studying or in class, the only other option is going out. And while going out is a valid way to release stress throughout the week, there are also other ways to de-stress that are meaningful...

1. Hiking. No matter where you go to school, odds are if you look hard enough, you can find somewhere to go hiking within a 30min-2 hour radius of your school. Obviously, some locations will be better than others, but just getting out in the fresh air, seeing nature and exploring is a great way to de-stress from the week.
2. Camping. On the same thread, if you are interested in hiking, you can take your exploration to another level and go camping. Obviously, this takes more planning and equipment, but no fear, tents and sleeping bags can be found easily and inexpensively online. Camping is an awesome way to bond with friends, eat yummy food over the fire, share stories and enjoy the stars. None of these things are easily achieved in the typical college environment.
3. Drive-in movie. This applies more accurately to school is the more rural areas…but if you are lucky enough to find that your school is reasonably close to a drive-in movie, you must go! Getting off of campus, watching something not on your laptop, while hanging out of the back of someone’s SUV is definitely an experience to be had in college with friends.
4. Concerts. Although this may fall kind of close to the going out experience, having to find a concert in your area that you enjoy, and planning logistics adds to the experience. Concerts are something easily enjoyed, but even more so in college, while surrounded by friends.
5. Going driving. Driving at night is one of my favorite things, and something I don’t get to do enough in college. Not everyone has cars in college and if you do, you’re usually hurrying from destination to destination. But sometimes, the journey should be the destination. Just driving at night, listening to some great music with friends… as they say in Perks of Being Wallflower, “I feel infinite”.