With winter and finals approaching, you sometimes would rather curl up in bed on a Friday or Saturday night rather than go to yet another rager in someone’s dorm room. Of course, you don’t want to avoid all social contact—you want your friends to stay in with you as well! Have no fear…there are many things you can do with your friends to guarantee that you have an awesome night. And the best part? You don’t have to get dressed up and boozed up head to a potentially lame party afterwards!
1. Cook dinner together
Avoiding the same old dining hall food is just one reason to cook a meal in your dorm’s kitchen. There’s something to be said for creating a culinary mess with your friends, whether that creation is personal pizzas, chicken parmesan, or even Mac & Cheese! Making something together is a great way to have some laughs with your friends and allows time for great communication…And you can eat whatever you want to make! No cooking expertise is involved, and you can pretend you’re on Food Network.
2. Have a relaxing spa night
Fight stress with face masks and magazines! Nothing says Girls’ Night like pampering. Manicures/pedicures, classic chick flicks, make-overs, and magazines are all the ingredients for this fun evening, and you probably have most of them already. If you don’t have the means to get yourself to a CVS or other drugstore to buy a pre-made face mask, you can look online for fun and easy recipes to make your own!
3. Host a movie marathon
Imagine: a night solely dedicated to binge-watching the Audrey Hepburn collection, the Harry Potter series, or old-school Disney movies. Get together with your friends, and pick a movie-theme night. It’s a great way to veg out after a long week while still enjoying the company of your friends (pajamas and popcorn are most definitely included).
4. Try out dorm-room workouts from magazines or exercise videos (DVD and online)
Who says a night-in is only about eating junk food and being a couch potato? Pull on some exercise gear, and test out some workouts with your friends! Whether you use a DVD, magazine suggestions, or an online source like, http://www.fitnessblender.com, you’ll be burning calories and getting fit with friends. Training with friends is great motivation to maintain a healthy lifestyle!
5. Have a mini-clothing swap
Sick of all the clothes in your wardrobe? Pick some pieces that you’re willing to part with, and offer them up to your friends in a mini clothing swap! Everyone just needs to bring a set number of items to ensure equality, and you’re good to go. It’s shopping without spending money…and it allows you to finally wear that shirt your friend has that you’ve always envied!
6. Play classic board games
When was the last time you played Monopoly, Clue, or Life? Think of your favorite childhood board games, and spend the night playing them in your room with your friends. Many college campuses have a stock of games in student social spaces or common rooms, so you might have to search. No luck? Ask if anyone has a deck of cards and have a mini poker night!
7. Have a classy wine-and-cheese night
Stay sophisticated within the comfort of your dorm room by hosting a wine-and-cheese night with your friends! You all can choose to stick in casual clothes or to really go all out and dress for the tasty occasion. Have enough wine that you and your friends can enjoy a few glasses without the risk of getting a hangover in the morning, and provide a variety of cheeses to eat with fruit, crackers, or pretzels. College entertaining clearly doesn’t have to be trashy and immature.
8. Pick a new TV show to watch together
Every college student has a guilty pleasure TV show they watch on Netflix or on online sites to waste time—I guarantee it! Instead of swapping shows between each other and watching them separately, you and your friends can decide to start a show together. This creates the possibility of gathering with your friends in the middle of the week to take a break from schoolwork and watch an episode, too!
9. Bake a dessert
Cupcakes, cookies, brownies, oh my! Gather some baking supplies earlier in the week—even if it involves pre-made cookie dough—and whip up some indulgences with your friends on a weekend night. If you’re going to make from scratch, test out a recipe you’ve never tried before!
10. Redecorate your room
Are you in a total rut and need a change of environment? Ask your friends to help you revamp your dorm room! Move around some furniture, cut out things from magazines to hang on your walls, and pick some photos off of Facebook to print out and scatter around the space. College may just be your home-away-from home, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t create a comforting, safe space that’s your personal getaway.