The common stereotype around drinking in college, particularly at a notorious party school like the University, is that drinking consumes people’s lives and people are out “getting wasted” five nights a week.

While I’m not going to say that some people don’t overexert their livers on campus, drinking and going out is much more than a way to lower your inhibitions on campus.

Champaign is in the unique situation with nearly all of the bars on campus having an entry age of just 19 instead of the usual 21. While some might look down on the practice, it provides a great opportunity for social events for everyone on campus, instead of just upperclassmen.

The stigma of going to a bar to only drink and get blacked out drunk is really just not true at all. While it’s not difficult for underage patrons to get drinks at a bar – a couple extra bucks to a person of age or switching wristbands will usually do – it’s also not the sole reason to go out at night. Yes, many people do drink themselves into oblivion, but being drunk is not a prerequisite to going out with your buddies.

Going out to bars or fraternities with your friends is one of the best ways to get to know people on campus, especially for freshmen.

My advice for freshmen would be to take advantage of the first weekend before school starts. Even if you don’t drink, or haven’t before, get together with some of your floormates and go to a party or a bar, if you’re 19 already. It’s a great opportunity to break the ice and build relationships with people for the rest of the year. 

That first weekend is also one of the best times to figure out your limits with alcohol. Many of the other freshmen will be figuring it out too, and it’s better to ease into social drinking rather than waking up somewhere covered in your own vomit without any recollection of how you got there. Without the burden of school kicking in yet, there should be no reason for you to sit around alone in your room for the first few days. Plus, going out is the perfect time to bust out those shiny new Sperrys and flannel shirt that will look fly for a night with your friends.

Another destination can be fraternity parties. 

During Welcome Week and the first few weeks, the Rush period ensues. Fraternities and sororities pluck new members for their houses, and a big part of the process is attending Rush events at fraternities.

Even if you think you’re not interested in joining Greek life, it’s still worth an experience to wind around Frat Row. Illinois has the largest number of members in the Greek community of any college campus in the U.S., so there’s bound to be a place for anyone seeking membership.

Even outside of just hanging with friends, going out is a part of many groups on campus. Large packs of students can be seen wearing matching shirts almost any night of the week on group barcrawls. Getting involved with organizations on campus is important, but equally as important is fitting in with the group, which is why barcrawls are a nice way to introduce yourself and expand your Rolodex of friends outside of just your roommate.

Looking back on their college days, people don’t tell stories of when they got an A in some class or how they didn’t know anyone for their whole freshman year. Go out and meet people because, in the words of Macklemore, “You learn a lot about your friends at around 2 a.m.”

Stephen is a junior in Media. He can be reached at [email protected].