Five Things to Do on a Friday Night at Dartmouth College

1: Go fratting.

Definitely, go out fratting, play pong, spend time talking to other people in a basement. If you’re a freshman, you will probably be going out with your freshman floor in conspicuously huge groups, called “shmobs.” It’s better if you plan ahead and stop by the frat that your trip leader is part of and proceed to try to “get on table” to play pong. If you’re a sophomore, play pong in your basement with your own sorority sisters or fraternity brothers with all the competitive spirit of an Olympian. After all, you’re training to represent your frat or sorority in the “Masters” pong championship during sophomore summer. For juniors, who have already trained hard at pong, pretend you’re having fun, but really, shouldn’t you be in your dorm right now studying for that midterm in 2 days?

And for seniors, remember that time is ticking and college life is sweet. Proceed to remember all the countless hours you spent trying to perfect your killer serve and that time you “golden tree’d” two guys, resulting in your defeated foes running outside in the snow naked. Word of advice: always write your name in huge capital letters inside your “fracket” or jacket that is used solely for going out to frats. Otherwise, you will lose your North Face and have to send a billion obnoxious emails to everyone you know, begging for it back. And only allocate one pair of shoes that will proceed to get grimy from all the gunk and who-knows-what that you step on in frat basements.

2: Go watch a movie at the Hop.

With $5 tickets and student passes that offer 10 movies at $10, you should really try to make it out to the Black Family Visual Arts Center and actually take part in whatever’s happening culturally outside of the Dartmouth bubble. Arrive early, though; most of the time the theater will be full at ten minutes to show time. It’s nice to feel part of the larger Vermont/New Hampshire community sometimes, and if you hit it off talking to that retired couple sitting next to you, you know you’re doing something right. For the most part, the VAC is similar in size to the Nugget, so get ready for that intimate viewing environment, complete with glares coming from all sides if you end up falling asleep and snoring in your seat.

If you’re really interested in Dartmouth, check out 5 Things I Wish I Knew About Dartmouth.

3: Have a night out on the town.

Not feeling particularly fratty? Go to Salt Hill Pub or to Molly’s. At Molly’s get a $2 margarita, stuff yourself with bread, and intermittently grab a spoonful of honey butter and eat it without the bread, savoring the greasy richness. Or go get a Scorpion bowl at the Orient and blow bubbles in the cocktail bowl when no one else is looking. Or time it and simultaneously blow bubbles in the Scorpion bowl with your friends. Go to Murphy’s and make sure to say hi to Nigel, the owner, if you can. If you’re feeling particularly romantic, take your boyfriend or girlfriend out and grab dinner at Canoe Club, just remember that everyone walking by on Main Street can see the two of you gazing into each other’s eyes.

4: Crash a Tuck party

Tuckies are infamous for being gregarious and their parties, held in dormitories next to the freshman dorms, are legendary. You can literally hear their music blasting from 5 miles away. Go inside, introduce yourself, and proceed to make friends. Do talk about skiing and pong. Do invite the Tuckies to parties at sororities and fraternities. Don’t talk about corporate recruiting. Don’t act too serious or bring up anything career related; everyone knows that Tuckies are chill and want to have fun on Friday nights.

5: Go star-gazing (or sledding or both!) on the golf course

Trek out to the golf course and sled down the hills with Foco trays while yelling at the top of your lungs. Stargaze and talk about what’s stressing you out. That unreciprocated crush who just shot you down via Blitz or how you’re getting crushed in Econ 26 because Kohn keeps on calling on you when you don’t know the answer. Afterwards, drive to the Fort in Lebanon and eat corned beef hash and homemade pie.

Sarah Cahill, people watcher, day dreamer, idealist, is a proud alumna of Dartmouth.