As a girl who has the self-proclaimed worst case of FOMO ever, it comes as a shock to me when people express discontentment with going out on the weekends.

With the ever-growing popularity of the clean-girl mentality, college students have started to abandon party culture altogether, swapping pregames for 8 p.m. bedtimes.

In a post-COVID-19 college landscape, more students have started to opt out of opportunities to socialize with one another. Social isolation has been revamped as protecting your peace.

Those who reject the idea of going out to parties and bars on the weekend may argue that there’s nothing of value to be gained from drinking and staying up late dancing with friends.

But there is more merit in going out than people may realize.  

Of course, I can understand wanting to stay in and relax during the weekend when you already have a full class and workload. However, before you fully commit to the grandma lifestyle in college, you should consider the potential benefits of a night out.

With the emphasis being placed on reclusivity and routine as self-care, it’s important to note that letting loose can also be beneficial to your health.  

Going out or pursuing hedonistic activities can be incredibly freeing and give us much-needed endorphins. Viewing self-care as exclusively tied to an unyielding routine can make us more anxious, viewing self-care as a chore rather than relaxation.  

The physical and social aspects of a night out in college can make a stressful student life feel a bit more manageable.   

University of Minnesota second-year student Sydney Steiner said wanting to go out depends on the person, but she can see the positives of going out.

“It’s so fun to meet new people, especially if you don’t have that experience always with class,” Steiner said.

The opportunities to socialize that come from a night out offer college students a unique platform to get to know their peers.

College nightlife gives students a space to casually converse with their classmates in a less inhibited way. Dim lighting, loud music and drinks create a low-stakes environment to meet people for students who might feel too pressured to make connections in the classroom.

I have met a lot of kind and fun people I probably never would have run into had I not decided to join my friends for a night out.

When so many different groups of students come together at social outings, nightlife also serves as a way to help bridge the gap between majors and perspectives. Students can come together to discuss their experiences and learn to relate better to one another. 

Thinking of partying or going to bars as a way to stretch your social muscles could give you a new perspective on participating in college nightlife. These experiences can also facilitate the formation of some of your most important friendships and memories.

Even if you are someone who tends to stick with your preferred social group when going out, the bonding that takes place on a night out can strengthen your relationships.  

“Being in a group in a social setting can be so fun sometimes,” Steiner said. “Even if you’re not going to achieve the goal to meet new people, having a close group of people with you is honestly the way to make it the most comfortable and best experience.”

Although it may seem cliche, college truly is the best opportunity to form lasting memories with the people around you.

Even if my memories are somewhat hazy, I know that the conversations I’ve had in women’s restrooms at bars will always be something I can fondly look back on.

To those who are skeptical, trust that there can be a healthy balance between partying and school life. My friends who I have seen rally the hardest over the weekends are also some of the hardest workers when it comes to their academics.  

Steiner said people may view going out in a negative light due to excessive substance use and not always being able to make the best decisions under the influence.  

However, Steiner agreed that students who go out can maintain a good school-life balance.

“Doing it at a reasonable amount and knowing your schedule, it [going out] can be maintained well,” Steiner said. “I think people definitely achieve in balancing it as long as you’re not prioritizing going out over your school.”

As long as you are able to set boundaries for yourself and others and know how to be safe, I strongly advise students to try new things and let themselves out of their comfort zone once in a while. 

Sal’s happy hour is calling you!