Carnegie Mellon University is not known for its exciting nightlife, as studying tends to take priority over more entertaining activities. One of the best feelings is when the week finally concludes and it is time to unwind on a Friday night. However, campus is typically not a prime location for socializing, so expect to walk or drive to your destination. Most of these activities are off campus destinations in the area near CMU.
1.) Visit the Waterfront
Visiting the Waterfront is a great way to get off campus and enjoy the surrounding area, but it is a few miles from Carnegie Mellon University. I do not think it is feasible to walk there safely. I realize that this is technically more of a general Pittsburgh suggestion, but I found it to be an enjoyable experience and know that other students did as well. This is a great place to go if you are looking to see a movie Loews Theater provides an excellent viewing experience.I cannot think of any comparable movie theaters in the area and would highly recommend going there at least once. In addition to Loews Theater, there are several places to eat at the Waterfront, such as P.F. Chang’s, Red Robin, Steak N’ Shake, and a few fast food options if you are looking to eat cheap. Dinner and a movie is a great way to relax and enjoy some time out of the classroom. Another viable option is Dave & Buster’s, which has great food choices and a variety of games. You are never too old to play games!
2.) Go to a Steelers/Pirates/Penguins game
Again, this is an activity that will require some form of transportation to travel into the city, but will be well worth the time and effort. PNC Park is consistently mentioned as one of the most beautiful ballparks in the country and tickets are much more affordable than other sporting events. Steeler games are always intense and Carnegie Mellon students from all over enjoy going to watch because of the atmosphere. I went to a game with some friends and it was a great experience. Although it appeals to a smaller group of people, Penguin hockey games are played at Consol Energy Center, which is located just a few miles down the road from Carnegie Mellon. This is actually within walking distance, though I always preferred to drive. I will refrain from offering suggestions off campus for the remainder of this article, as I do not want to make it seem like there is nothing to do closer to campus! This suggestion is more suited for anyone interested in professional sports.
3.) Attend a Carnegie Mellon athletic event
As a former varsity athlete at Carnegie Mellon, I can say that the athletic teams get little to no support from non-athletes. This is incredibly discouraging and often leads to poor performances due to lack of morale. Of course athletes will still perform, but it can be disappointing when you come to the realization that no one seems to care about the result of your games. I understand that this is not a prime Friday night activity, but I am sure that the athletic teams would appreciate it. The athletic department often does giveaways and has free pizza at many basketball games in the winter. Why not get some free food and stay for a little? This is also a great place to socialize with peers and connect outside of the classroom.Your classmates will appreciate it and you will likely make some new friends.
4.) Organize an activity with dorm mates
One of the easiest ways to ensure that you have something to do on a Friday night is to organize a social event with others from your dorm. This should never be challenging since they are in the same building! Because of my initial struggles to adapt to life on campus during my freshman fall, I did not participate in several orientation activities. This damaged my relationship with others from my dorm and is something that I definitely regret. You will learn early on that some of the others from your dorm will likely end up being your close friends. Everyone that I remain in contact with from Carnegie Mellon lived in the same freshman dorm as me, Hamerschlag Hall, and most lived on the same floor.
5.) Attend a social gathering
I do not encourage underage students to drink, but I see nothing wrong with attending a campus social event. Campus police do take these violations seriously, as do the resident assistants, who are required to report any instances of underage drinking. Without an outlet on a Friday night, students would go crazy from the overwhelming workload at Carnegie Mellon. There is always at least one party on campus where you will not feel pressured to leave your comfort zone. Sometimes Carnegie Mellon hosts events on campus as well, such as movies in the University Center or a performance. Fraternities, sororities, and other organizations will also hold events on campus as fundraisers, and usually only charge a small fee.
My recommendation is to try each of these activities during your first semester at Carnegie Mellon, if possible. One of the most difficult parts of adjusting to life away from home on a college campus is determining what you should do with your free time. These suggestions will likely cost you less than you would spend at a bar and you will actually remember the experience that you had with your friends.
Matthew Remaley is a 2014 honors graduate from Carnegie Mellon’s Tepper School of Business. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance as well as a minor in Biomedical Engineering.