For college and university students, September means the same thing as it always has – it’s the end of yet another summer, and the beginning of yet another school year. But, whereas when you were little you rang in the new school year by moping around your room, now that you’re in college, you can celebrate the right way. You haven’t seen your friends for probably a couple months (if not longer), so why not use the beginning of September as an excuse to celebrate? Arrive at your college or university a weekend early and try one of these back-to-school party ideas.
Camping
You can make the most of that last bit of summer by doing the most outdoorsy thing you possibly can: grab a tent and go camping. Whether you choose the relative ease and comfort of a campground (recommended) or the DIY wildness of finding your own spot (for the brave, only), camping is a good way to get in touch with nature one last time before strapping yourself to a desk and computer. Before long, the only trees you’ll see are the ones pulped and cut into textbook pages, so you might as well get out there and enjoy the great outdoors while you can!
Axe Throwing
Heading back to school can be frustrating; what’s worse, there’s very few avenues available for that frustration. Take some time to try this incredibly popular, new(ish) sport with friends – just put together an axe throwing party by calling up a league and booking a lane. You’ll get lessons from an axe throwing expert before being able to rip into some wooden targets, all in the spirit of competition. Now that’s the kind of stress relief they don’t tell you about at school!
Dinner Party
For those who prefer to eat their sorrows away – or if you just want a simple excuse to catch up on how everyone’s summer was – get your friends together and have a potluck dinner. Encourage everyone to bring a dish that exemplifies the kind of summer they had (for instance, if they traveled abroad, they can make a dish they had on vacation). Check out this Food52 article for ideas on how to decorate a back-to-school dinner party, including the ingenious idea of using (fake) textbook pages as a table runner!
School Themed Party
Finally, what better way to say hello to a new school year than to lampoon the very idea of school. Dress as your favourite “school” character – whether it’s from Harry Potter, Mean Girls, School of Rock or even Stranger Things – and party the night away. Pass around a yearbook for everyone to sign; set up a punch bowl; make announcements over the PA. The possibilities are limitless.
Throwing a back-to-school party is all about two things: saying goodbye to the summer and preparing for the long year of school ahead. Get your nature fix with some camping, relieve some stress with axe throwing, eat your favourite summer dishes and get in the school spirit with a themed party. Who says September has to be a bore?
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