One of the best parts of college is freedom. The freedom to do whatever you want, when you want. But often, you are trapped without a car and stuck on campus. Planning celebrations can be overwhelming, especially on a day as big as your birthday! The pressure to do something fun and creative on your special day is huge. To make it a bit easier, here are six classic suggestions on how to celebrate your birthday on campus!
- Birthday Meal
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A birthday meal with your closest friends is a classic plan, especially if your birthday falls on a weekday. This is super simple and does not have much stress in planning, but can be more unique if you want. Order party hats or dress up for a cute dinner. Plenty of places in DownTown Storrs can accommodate a large party, including Chang Garden (where I went for my 19th birthday)! If you have a car, venture out to Willimantic, Manchester, or Hartford for plenty of restaurant options and a variety of price ranges. You can include as many people as you want and pick whatever mealtime works for your party!
- Day Trip
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If you are feeling more adventurous, you can take the bus to Boston or even a train ride to NYC with discounted public transportation with your UPass to find a creative birthday celebration. Or you can rely on free transportation within Connecticut. Hartford is just a bus ride away, where you can celebrate with pottery classes, art lessons, museums, and escape rooms. I would keep an eye out for SUBOG-free trips. Your birthday might align with the perfect trip to Boston, Broadway, or a sports game. For day trips, it’s best to focus on one big activity there, and the rest of the day can be spontaneous or just walking around!
- Bar
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If you’re turning 21, why not hit up the bar? Although this is not the most unique idea, it’s a classic college way to celebrate. If your birthday falls on a weekday, then you have more room for your party! Huskies Tavern usually has Taco Tuesday with trivia, or there’s No-Cover Thursday at Huskies to take advantage of! Dressing up with your friends to stay long enough to watch the clock turn and leave can be a perfect way to get the best birthday photos. Plus, wearing a birthday sash or hat means you may get free drinks and lots of birthday wishes!
- House Party
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If you are underage, having a dorm or house party can be a great way to get everyone together. There’s no pressure to do anything crazy. You can order a cake, grab some board games, or watch your favorite movie. You can buy some decorations for a photo shoot, or have everyone dress up in a theme and celebrate you. You can also spice it up by having everyone bring something unique like different foods, games, or an activity for everyone to take part in!
- Athletic Games
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Keep an eye out for the UConn athletic schedule! Usually, you can find at least one sporting event on the day of or close to your birthday. If you like sports, this can be a fun way to get your friends invested. If you aren’t a huge sports fan but still looking for something to do, you can always get dressed up in UConn merch, take photos, and leave early!
Original photo by Mairead Gillespie - Horsebarn Hill
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As the weather turns warmer, definitely make sure to venture up to Horsebarn Hill! It can be the perfect place to get beautiful photos, enjoy the perfect view, and eat the best ice cream from the Dairy Bar. You can walk around the trail or drive up to the cows and enjoy the scenery.
Although the pressure for the coolest birthday celebration is always high, your birthday is all about you. Don’t get forced into activities you didn’t want in the first place — or expensive outings you don’t think are worth spending the cash for. Make sure whatever plans you make represent what you love with the people you love!