You don’t have to leave this weekend

Students are missing out on social activities, making memories with friends and being independent because they go home on weekends.

Every weekend I see a line of cars outside the residence halls and they are filled with luggage. I wonder: Why they are leaving?

It isn’t uncommon for me to hear students referring to NIU as being a “suitcase” school. It doesn’t have to be.

If more students stayed during weekends instead of making a weekly drive home — a major waste of gas — the student experience would be better.

“I brought my car this semester, but I still don’t go home,” said senior communication major Dion Cook. “I came here [to NIU] to be away from home, so this is where I am every weekend.”

Many of the students who I’ve spoken with remark on how uneventful their weekends are when they stay.

“I always end up doing random stuff when I stay weekends,” said senior biology major Sylver Smith. “Nothing eventful really happens. It’s like torture, so I go home.”

Your time at NIU is what you make of it. Instead of dwelling on how boring you perceive it to be, venture out and partake in what is happening.

I never leave to go home, with the exception of breaks. I became well acquainted with what’s going on around campus and in DeKalb.

I will admit, I am from Chicago, and DeKalb can feel rather smothering at times; however, I frequently go to China House and the movie theater and I hang out with friends.

On campus, there are so many student organizations and groups here to help make your college experience worthwhile.

The Campus Activities Board is always putting together activities for students to get involved.

According to the CAB website, there are quite a few events coming up, like a Valentine’s Day Concert and Dinner at 9 p.m. Feb. 14 in the Duke Ellington Ballroom and a Game Tourney at 2 p.m. Feb. 22 in the Holmes Student Center’s Regency Room.

If you are not into those types of events there are tons of other ways you can entertain yourself, like seeing local bands perform.

Also, right in the lower level of the Holmes Student Center lies the Huskies Den, where you can bowl and play Xbox games.

Tuck that suitcase away and indulge in activities at NIU.