Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus Top Questions

PSU is packed with opportunities to see theater and FOR FREE. No Refund Theatre (a group I'm in) puts on a show practically every weekend of the school year. Another group, Thespians (more of the musical theater types) put on shows as well. My inbox is constantly flooded with news about guest speakers and lecture series'. As far as parties go it seems that students start partying on Wednesday and finish Sunday morning. The only days the bars aren't packed are on Sunday and Monday. Depending on the time of year Tuesday is somehow a big day too. For the underage crowd University Park is pretty frustrating. The only things to do downtown for underage students are to sit at Starbucks, or go to a movie. I also hear that the Hub does some pretty cool activites though (laser tag? billards?). If you are under 21 it's also a great time to get involved with groups around campus. THE BIG event of the year at PSU is THON. Prepare yourself if you come you WILL NOT STOP HEARING ABOUT IT. THON is a great cause (raising money for kids with cancer) but sometimes I wonder if students do it more for themselves than they do for the kids? Just being honest! No Refund Theatre is big into THON so I'm not partial to non-THONers. Anyway, THON is a big event that goes on at the Bryce Jordan Center where almost every group and sorority on campus raises money and then they stay up for 48 hours with their designated sponsor child. THON used to be about dancing but has turned into a whole slew of activities.

A lot of people say you meet the most people by leaving the door open during the first week of classes. This is true, but that's just because they're close to you, not necessarily because you get along with them. Join clubs, do what you like, but also meet people when you first get here because without that you have nothing else really. I live off campus and so do most people, and if you don't drink, you probably won't have a good time. If you're responsible, and you don't hobble around town like an idiot, you won't get caught. Don't be a prude, go out and have a good time, and you'll meet tons of great people, just be responsible.

most of the time dorm doors are closed. Relatively decent non drinking activities sponsored by the school

The #1 activity would have to be football. The demand for tickets is so high that for the 2007 season, they sold out in 45 minutes. Tied into football is the drinking culture. As a freshman, the main attractions are the frat parties, especially for girls. As you get older, though, the trend shifts towards apartment parties and the bar scene. Greek life is fairly large, too. There are a lot of frats and sororities on campus, so if that's what you're into, you have a lot of options to choose from. If drinking's not your thing, there are still a lot of things to do. LateNight Penn State has activities every Friday and Saturday night, and even though they're kind of lame, they do show decent movies every once in a while, and everything there is free to students. Intramural sports are pretty big too, especially flag football and basketball.

Penn State does a great job making every on-campus activity important. However, football is definitely "king" here. Whether students like football or not, they all participate in some way: tailgating, participating in cheers, etc. But outside football, there are endless opportunities to get involved with. Just talking to people, people hear about all the things going on on campus, run by students or by the university. There is, like I said, a big Greek life. Students meet people through that or through any club, group or organization, but mostly through going out to parties or bars. It's really easy to meet people and make the university feel smaller and more intimate.

Penn State is stereotyped as a party school; it is true. There is virtually nothing to do past 9 PM on weekends unless you feel like making a voyage to the movie theater, or attending the abominable Late Night Penn State, which includes such riveting time-wasters as balloon animals and kareoke. Parties and alcohol pervade the campus; if you don't like searching long and hard for some obscure way to spend your time and wouldn't enjoy hanging out in your dorm all year - pick another school.

With all the new crime occurring lately, I don't know that people feel safe leaving their doors open anymore. Guys are dropping their pants and masturbating in a hallway. What's to stop them from entering a room with the door propped open? Plus, in many dorms, students aren't allowed to prop their doors open. I don't know if it's a fire code violation or what. Propping your door open is a great way to meet new people (as long as they're not trying to masturbate in front of you), and the university seems to be inhibiting that.

I am highly involved with the Wesley Student Fellowship. I am currently the president of the organization and it's probably been the best thing I could have done here at college. I have made incredible friends and since I've become active in the group, I've not spent one weekend drinking as my primary form of entertainment. We have wonderful alternatives of sports nights, dances, dinners, worship times, bible studies, and other fun activities. This past spring break we dedicated time to going on a missions trip to Ocean Springs, Mississippi to work on homes being rebuilt after Hurricane Katrina. Getting plugged into a group like this has been one of the most important and shaping things I've done here at school. I love my friends and intend to keep in touch with them well beyond graduation.

Greek life is huge at Penn State. It is not essential to join a sorority or fraternity, but most people feel that you must get involved in something. There are many chapters for one to choose from, and this in itself can be a bit overwhelming. Bars are very strict in State College, so if you are not 21 yet your only options are to attend frat parties or apartment parties. Football games are the thing to do on Saturdays in the fall and this always consists of day-long tailgates. I met all my best friends through joining a sorority. A Penn State weekend officially starts on Thursday night, but it is not uncommon to go out Tuesday-Saturday.

What can you do on a Saturday night that's not drinking? Dance, ski/snowboard/tube/sled, watch a movie, go out to eat, roam walmart and play with the toys (being sure to put them back when you're done), etc.