I’ve always been one to love a weekend away. It doesn’t really matter where; I just enjoy the idea of taking a step away from my routine and getting out of town for a few days.

There’s something about spending the night with all your friends in a cabin or sitting around a fire talking about life or playing games of Frisbee all afternoon that make retreats the best. So many great memories are made.

It’s a great place to get to know new people from your school or old friends better, bonding over nasty lake water or silly team-building games. If you’re a freshman or someone looking to make new friends, this is a prime time, and you don’t want to miss out.

I went to a retreat within the first month of my freshman year and made so many connections. Being forced to only see the same people for a solid 48 hours really brings you closer together.

It’s no surprise retreats come in the middle of the semester or during the busiest week of the month, but don’t let that stop you. Don’t let the schoolwork or the price of the weekend or the stress you may be going through prevent you from having one of the best times of your college experience.

Last semester I went on a “spring” retreat. It was actually February and we got snowed in our cabin in Alabama. But that weekend I made so many memories and had a blast with some really great people. I vividly remember how much work I had to do and how busy I was, but putting that on the back burner for a few days was a decision I do not regret.

So go. When an opportunity comes up, don’t even think twice. Don’t slow down enough to think about all the things you might have to do that weekend. Just be a little spontaneous. Jump in the van with your friends and let it take you to one of the best weekends you will have. Take pictures in your flannels, take pictures jumping into a lake, laugh about a lot of things that aren’t really that funny and make memories that will last forever.