Host a workshop where students can make their own dorm room decor think plant hangers, terrariums, or recycled frames for their art. 1960 N. Marshall Ave., Suite 100 Not only do events help students get to know one another, but they can provide a steady stream of wholesome and educational programming that will keep students active and engaged in their campus community. Giving responsibility. Invite a prop master from your schools theater department to show students how to craft theatrical props for an upcoming production. Whether it seems like it or not, every college or university has students who are looking for active ways to participate in university life as well as the surrounding community. Peerspace uncovers thousands of unique spaces in hundreds of cities, providing fabulous places to meet and celebrate. So, contact local restaurants and food trucks about offering easy finger foods. Since pets are often forbidden in dorms or apartments, invite a local pet adoption organization to bring dogs, cats, and other critters to campus. Balancing classes, homework, papers, exams, and for many, a part-time job, can become a lot to handle. Its a valuable life skill many students arent prepared for once they graduate! Millennials love expressing their values online, but 80% of them feel its, essential for people to come together in person. Promote your event and gather volunteers to help referee and keep score. An obstacle course is always a lot of fun, and its perfect for students who love to challenge themselves. Schools without an ample A/V supply can host mini-tournaments in each dorm and ask students to bring their own monitors and game systems. Highlight alumni who have excelled in their field of study or made notable contributions in their degree field. Funds can be raised either by ticket sales for entry, by pricing the clothing individually, or by some combination of the two. Board game nights are always popular, and theyre the perfect way to spend a night in. Lastly, a festival isnt complete without eats. Just be sure to clear your calendar wargaming classics like Squad Leader and Warhammer can take place over days or weeks. Science fairs are a throwback to elementary school. This makes them an ideal choice for hosting various events, especially outdoor ones that can accommodate kiosks, booths, and large gatherings. A popular way of fundraising for college is organizing concerts and selling tickets. Competition One of the best ways to win over college students is playing a game to win free rewards. Drive fundraising with charity eventsand encourage students to organize their own campus services. Volunteer virtually. Include former students who are using their degrees in unique or interesting ways as well. Collaborative event sales software that increases qualified leads and drives direct revenue. Theres nothing like spending a night under the stars. Ask a professor from the Biology department with knowledge of plant species and biodiversity to lead a tour of local parks and nature trails. While softball games and volleyball matches are always popular, mix things up with alternative sports competitions such as ultimate frisbee or paintball. Provide the supplies, background music, instructions, and refreshments, and let crafty students get to work on building something that will make their dorm feel like a home. Host a Netflix party and play some popular shows. We believe in keeping our customers happy by providing them with best quality products at a very competent price. Instead, invite students to bring their tents, sleeping bags, and smores kits to campus for a campout with friends. This is the fourth consecutive year that GCC has held this competition, which is open to GCC student-entrepreneurs to pitch their business or product ideas. 3) Ask parents who own businesses that could donate. The house always wins, after all. Just like above, take students to the apple orchard for a fun fall weekend. Live Animal Cams. This is a great way to raise money and show support for your college. Have participants dress in themed costumes for extra fun, or make it a fundraiser with pledges for laps completed. Not every weekend at college needs to be all about tailgating and keggers. Alternatively, impress the history department with out-of-fashion historical games like three-card brag or organize a round of the classic French. Delegating roles helps provide a sense of ownership and develop leadership skills. Your campus is bound to have plenty of resources and good will to make your next event a smashing success all you need then is the right event idea to get started! A meet-and-greet allows students to make a one-on-one connection. We all know college students may not have the kitchen or the time for such culinary achievements. As students move from booth to booth, theyll get a peek into potential career paths and maybe even find the position where theyll launch their career. But who could possibly have a problem with baby photos? Symphony orchestras will appreciate youthful attendees who may become loyal subscribers. Lay out a route across campus or around the perimeter, and make sure youve got water and treats like ice cream or fruit cups for finishers. Celebrate Indias films, with their exuberant colors, fantastic tales, and imaginative staging, with a Bollywood film festival that also embraces the richness of Indian culture. Tip:Be sure to invite any student organizations that perform music on your campus, from any acapella groups to the official marching band. You could either have a theme or let students come up with their own ideas. Have participants dress in themed costumes for extra fun, or make it a fundraiser with pledges for laps completed. Bengaluru, Karnataka. If you make a purchase, GenTwenty may receive a commission at no additional cost to you. This is a great activity for mild or warmer fall and spring weather and is a great way to get students to exercise or to introduce new students to the entire campus. University life is about fun and learning, and what better way to help that mission than with community events that give back? 53 Fun College Event Ideas Students Will Love and Share. Movie Marathon. College students often set fashion trends for the rest of us and with fads changing frequently, a clothing swap makes for a fun and interactive event. Be sure to have a variety of desserts for students to choose from. Another great way to celebrate International Women's Day is to organize a fundraiser for a women's cause. Or, for older students, try apaint-and-sip party where guests bring their favorite libations for an evening of watercolors, easels, and drinks. A picnic is always a great way to spend a day, and its perfect for students who love to eat outside. Tip:Section off a part of the hall where students can talk amongst themselves and only half-watch the movie. Surely there are a few certified yoga or aerobics instructors in your student body! You get a book debate a fresh spin on the ever-popular book club concept. Coordinate with your schools film department to include the best of Bollywood cinema. Industry-Specific Conference or Training. Include displays of falconry or blacksmithing to set the mood. Depending on whether or not your college has the right hardware available, you can either supply the computers, network cards, and headsets yourself, or specify that the game night is BYO-gear. 2. Hit up a student fitness-buff to lead an all-levels workout class in an open space on campus. A wargaming contest will likely resonate with the history majors in your midst; you might recreate battles from the Civil War, World War I, or World War II. Youll need to decide whether to include all consoles in your match or limit it to one brand. Wacky Obstacle Course Almost like the 5K run, a wacky obstacle course is a good idea for college students and will still appeal to the masses. For many students, college can be an emotionally challenging time. The size of your event may determine your answers. Ice-breaker games can be a bit trite. Ashley Austin specializes in topics such as event planning, skincare, health, decor, and lifestyle. Consider working with a student-led organization to co-host an event that promotes or explores their mission. You could either create your own hunts or use ones that are already made. Pick a day to showcase entries in a theater setting, complete with snacks and awards, and sell tickets via Eventbritesfilm event ticketing software. Facilitate a net positive for both campuses and surrounding communities by fostering an online environment where like-minded students can plan fundraisers, soup kitchen outings, and more. For one of the most exciting college events students will ever experience, take groups out on an established trail (with reliable guides) late at night. As more students become online-only enrollees, online events might take on new importance. And while many college students are computer experts, they may lack business skills like creating formulas in Excel or using tables in Word. Ring in the new year with a bang by throwing a party on campus! A classic career fair brings employers onto campus to talk to students about their mission, hiring practices, and prospects. Make it fun for them! Learn how to embroider and make personalized gifts for your friends. Give students a treat after a long day of studying. Yoga classes are always a great way to relax and de-stress. Make sure yourcomedy show sells out by promoting it on social media. Thanks to Netflixs massively popular Stranger Things, interest has exploded. Organize a community-wide donation drive. Invite HR directors from local employers to provide insight on ways students can meet other professional expectations, like dressing for the office, writing effective emails, and public speaking. Just be sure students stick around afterward to help clean up! Head out as a group to a local parlor for sundaes, banana splits, or a simple scoop of rocky road. In a murder mystery game, one party guest is the designated murderer, and anyone could be the next victim. They often offer special amenities or prices for groups or younger audiences. With more college kids playing video games on PCs or consoles like PlayStation or Xbox than ever before, a video game tournament can be a gamers fantasy. Or, create your own maneuvers and offensives in battles between fantastical creatures such as orcs and dwarves. Run online contests with enticing prices and take advantage of social media engagement one of the primary communication methods for modern students. Host tournaments for classic and online gamers. Tip: Craft possibilities include painting pots for easy-to-care-for plants like succulents or ferns; decorating picture frames or book ends; tie-dying wall hangings. You can choose an NGO or charity you wish to donate to. Teach students how to knit and make cozy winter clothes. Students spend all day in lecture halls and seminars, so educational events encouraging participation will be more impactful. Pet therapy is a great way to reduce stress and anxiety. Everyone loves a game show with high stakes. When youre ready to promote your events, use. Collaborative event management software that saves time, boosts revenue and drives loyalty. There are plenty of organizations that would love to have your help. Put on your best poker face and deal em up! Millennials and members of Gen Z feel strong connections to political awareness, community engagement, environmentalism, social justice, activism, and impactful change. Paint nights are always popular, and theyre a great way to get creative. Language clubs are a perfect fit for an online event. But that doesnt mean your event cant be inspiring or rewarding in other ways, right? They also love fun things so anything that is free and fun is sure to be a hit. But customizing the experience adds a special touch, so use our FindSpark Fashion Conference run-of-show for inspo, so you can hit the ground running, and be sure to tag appropriate . But to draw interest, youll need to look beyond formal talks and job fairs. By supplying some traditional childhood slumber-party supplies, like boardgames and nail polish, students can keep themselves occupied even if they arent interested in watching. College edition! Walking tours, bus tours, and even bike tours are fun opportunities for students particularly freshmen and other campus newcomers to make friends and get to know the area around them. You can't do everything yourself, and the student activities board has limited resources. Events are a great way to introduce fresh ideas, opportunities, and products to a new audience. The goals can be anything: taking a photo at a campus landmark, for example, or finding a specific treasure in a particular location. Get your own design on the t-shirts, or get a designer on board. Create a mentorship program that connects students with others who have faced and overcome similar challenges or experiences. So, fun events for college students that emphasize social life will attract interest. Be sure to provide all of the supplies students will need. Search for jobs related to Event ideas for college organizations or hire on the world's largest freelancing marketplace with 22m+ jobs. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, is generally credited with inventing miniature wargaming. Attending a university often instills loyalty that can inspire successful alums to share what they know with the younger generation. Well, not all crawls have to be alcohol-related! College students love free food and they love brunch! Car smashes are always a lot of fun, and theyre perfect for students who love to destroy things. For a refined take on the rowdy bar crawl, get your group to try a stimulating gallery crawl to check out the latest art, sculpture, and photography exhibits. Check out these 100 college event ideas that are perfect for any campus! You can also meet your fundraising efforts by setting up shop across campus and selling other tasty grab-and-go snacks. Are you looking to host college events that students will actually want to attend? Offer Students Campus Bikes and Scooters Be sure to have plenty of delicious goodies for students to choose from. What is hard is creating one that will be able to compete with everything else that is going on around campus. A renaissance fair harkens back to the days of knights, nobles, lords, and ladies, recreating a time gone by. Book clubs are always a great way to get students excited about reading, and theyre perfect for students who love to discuss books. it emphasizes enjoyment instead of a serious race or competition. Volunteering at a homeless shelter is a great way to help those in need. And with blood and platelets in critically short supply, blood drives can be a true lifesaver. Then serve treats like apple pie, cider, and, of course, pumpkin spice anything. This will encourage even absolute beginners to show up and participate! Lay down some green felt across your tabletops and use chips instead of coins for a more authentic experience. Invite philosophers, activists, lecturers, writers, entrepreneurs, and other exciting speakers to visit campus and share their life advice. June 23, 2023. This could involve organizing a charity walk or run, or it could involve organizing a . Ideas for student organizations running an event As a student, you know what is popular around campus and what your peers like so creating ideas for events is fairly simple. You can either do this on your own or team up with another campus organization. Invite area critics and choose a panel of judges to pick the winner. Whether youre an event planner, a professor or faculty member, or anyone else involved in collegiate affairs, these 14 simple yet effective college event ideas are just what you need to boost attendance and engagement. Include fun activities like games, haunted houses, dancing, photo booth, trick-or-treating on campus and of course a costume contest! Remember! Pajama parties are always a lot of fun, and theyre the perfect way to spend a night in. One-by-one, show the photos to the crowd on a projector screen and ask students to try to identify the person pictured. While college audiences can be eager to attend educational and cultural events, they sometimes want to get their minds off education. It might include lute players, herald trumpeters, jousters, jugglers, magicians, jesters, and dancers. A supplies fee can help pay for necessary tools and other resources. For details on how to start a campus TEDx, visit the website. A free music concert is something most people will enjoy! Be sure to provide plastic bags and waste bins for cleanup. Take inspiration from Big Brother/Big Sister programs and pair seniors with freshmen. Board game cafes are becoming increasingly popular, and students will love the chance to spend a night in playing their favorite games. Quick Links Throw CompetitionsAdd Some FunRun WorkshopsHost CharitiesGive MentoringFood! Similar to a fall festival, harvest festivals emphasize food and farm products. Leave easter eggs all around campus with little prizes in them. Both can easily be enjoyed onscreen thanks to the magic of the internet. They may only come for the free food, but theyll stay for the friends and jovial atmosphere. Whats better than spending Thanksgiving with friends? After a countdown, encourage students to scream as loud as they can and release their stress together. From developing software to selling handmade crafts, there are bound to be some enterprising students on your campus. Alternative sports like these can attract less-athletic types who might be up for trying something new and sports lovers who thrive on competition. Mac-and-brie-en-croute, anyone? Teach time-management skills, budgeting best practices, and help prepare them for future loan expenses. Think Amazing Race, but without the multi-million-dollar broadcast network budget. College students are working to evolve into full-on adults, so host fun classes that will teach them applicable skills. Encourage attendees to dress up and enjoy an evening with the local orchestra, or show their school spirit by attending a performance of the schools music department ensembles. Scavenger hunts involve creating a list of goals for a group to accomplish or items to collect. Role-playing games like Dungeons & Dragons have entertained fantasy fans since the 1970s. Take a group to the trampoline park for a day of bouncing around. The following college events ideas can draw big crowds by offering something fun, giving yourself something by which to identify what your group is about. Whether connecting people face-to-face or virtually, hosting poetry readings, mariachi lessons, or concerts, youve got a lot on your plate. Karaoke nights are always a lot of fun, and they provide a great opportunity for students to show off their singing skills even if its a hidden talent. Spartan races are famous for their obstacles combining mud crawling, wall climbing, rope swinging, spear throwing, and more. Pro tip: quality sound equipment can really enhance the experience. But to draw interest, you'll need to look beyond formal talks and job fairs. If serving food, ensure your event complies with local regulations about storage and handling. Promote prizes, online recognition, and some serious bragging rights. Tip:Consider giving attendees a recipe book and dorm-cooking starter kit as a party-favor! Furthermore, students should be clearly and regularly updated on when, where, and how to connect with faculty and support staff. Teach students how to do their taxes. Want to know how to get college students to attend events? Likewise, consider the genre(s) to be featured. Once you have your design, you can order shirts from a printing company and then sell them to students, faculty, and community members. A fall festival celebrates all things autumn while fall colors are at their peak. Make sure your. Whats the longest-running show in Broadway history? Invite professors from diverse departments, like Biology, Religion, and Womens Studies, to speak about sexuality through different academic lenses. A balloon drop is always a lot of fun, and its perfect for students who are looking for a little excitement. You could either have your own garden or partner with local businesses. Pro tip: UseEventbrite Boost to be sure your event marketing strategy gets an A+. Be sure to have props for students to use. And at some universities, students can obtain degrees entirely through an online course load. Whether you project the entireLord of the Ringstrilogy, everyHarry Pottermovie, or a season ofGame of Thrones, just make sure there is enough footage to run all night. This event is open to the public. Great for the fall time, organize a trip to the pumpkin patch. Host a Q&A with a group of change-making women. An online meet-and-greet can be a great solution if youre looking for virtual business event ideas for college students. Swap boring punch for a spiked punch bowl and redeem your old school prom dress and tuxedos. You could do this for a day in your college fest. She currently lives in Pennsylvania with her husband and two sons. You can find a Campus Relay for Life branch on over 500 high school and college campuses in 47 states. Think mac n cheese, stir fry, homemade ramen, or pho. Althea obtained two degrees in Visual Communication Design and Race . You could partner with a local charity or organization. You could either partner with a local cooking organization or have your own class. Be sure to have a choreographed routine or let students come up with their own. Indoor games dont have to require athleticism. Below are some examples of online programs your organization could host. Contact your schools archery club about including a Robin Hood-inspired display of bow-and-arrow skills. And remember, college students love free things! Photo booths are always a lot of fun, and theyre perfect for students who love to take pictures. Showcase the entrepreneurial spirit of your campus by inviting student business owners to speak about their projects and network with potential collaborators. A flash mob is always a lot of fun, and its perfect for students who love to dance. Dating Smarter with Clinical Psychologist Dr. Carla Manly, How To Be An Interviewer For The First Time. She has a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and is the author of The Kidult Handbook (Simon & Schuster May 2018). Social events that do not have to do with the organization's core mission and enable people to get to mingle. Talent shows are always a lot of fun, and they provide a great opportunity for students to show off their talents. When youre starting out, theres nothing like a mentor to open doors and guide the way. As theater lovers know, the real magic of drama and comedy is in characterization and dialogue. Local businesses can set up tables and sell themed goods. Sex plays a big role in campus culture, but that doesnt mean that talking about it is easy. Prepare some visuals for Facebook and Instagram to share the planning process and showcase the event. Ask students to create something extraordinary and plan a fun event that focuses on film. Seamlessly manage and optimize group sales performance across your entire portfolio. Cooking lessons are perfect for students who love to cook. They can provide valuable insights and advice. We provide complete solution to organize an event. The first group to complete the list wins. Take a night to do various arts and crafts projects. Set up crafting stations in dorm rooms, and gardening fun with desk-sized plants to place in their dorm rooms. Initially developed by actual military strategists, wargaming contests involve moving game pieces around large game boards that consist of maps of real or fantastical landscapes. Get all the support you want for your events because we know hospitality matters. Race each other in Mario Party or Mario Kart! Encourage mentorship connections for new students, students in the LGBTQ+ community, those who struggle with addiction or grieving, and so on. And never have there been so many budding student filmmakers constantly uploading shorts and skits to YouTube and TikTok. Provide potential attendees with a biography of the speaker, their accomplishments, and the unique perspective they bring to the table. Another great way to giveaway prizes is by having a raffle. Let students get creative! The past few years have seen the passing of some of popular musics most beloved idols. Reserve space in a common area on campus and invite students to gather to compete in video game competitions. Youll want to contact your schools facilities department about availability. In between a chorus of squeals about each cute photo, students will have the opportunity to really look at their peers. Sleepover Movie Marathon Donation drives are a fantastic way to bring the community together through a common goal of helping others in need. To give it a personal touch you could play short films made by other students. Have a gingerbread house contest to see who can make the best one. Local food vendors might provide messy medieval foods such as roasted turkey legs and Viking-worthy mead. The Olympic games are always a lot of fun, and theyre perfect for students who love to compete. What do you get with you combine English majors with the debate club? knowledge, and an ever-popular way for students to spend the evening. Need more fun college event ideas? For example, a film festival might encompass several different movie theaters or screening rooms. Sell coffee for $1 in the libraries during finals and donate the money to a scholarship fund to help more students attend college. By organizing concerts, you can raise funds by: Charging a fee for participation Raising funds through ticketing Selling merchandise In the current scenario of a pandemic, such events can be a health hazard. Channel Coachella and create your ownmusic and arts festival on campus. Millennials love expressing their values online, but 80% of them feel itsessential for people to come together in person to promote positive change. Shooting and editing short films has never been easier. Either way, be sure to make sure there are plenty of power strips to go around and dont skimp on the snacks and soda either! Most campuses have your run-of-the-mill sports teams: basketball, baseball, soccer, football, etc. This event suits urban campuses, where many museums and galleries might dot the landscape. Good luck! Time to find out whos the Console Champion with a video game tournament. Help your student body put their best foot forward. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers . You can invite high school students as a way to encourage them to pursue college degrees or get a sense of what college can be like. 4. Give teams 24 or 48 hours to complete a movie based on a theme or genre. Wondering how to throw events that college students will actually want to attend? Meditation classes are a great way to reduce stress and anxiety. Everyones heard of a chili cook-off or a British bake-off, right? Below are a few engaging social event ideas for clubs and students. If you want to take your event online, consider creative activities like a student-led online workshop or a virtual open mic night. Althea Marin Santos (al-they-ya, mar-ine, san-tos) is a Filipina immigrant raised in Northeast Los Angeles. Paint and sip events are always popular, and theyre a great way to get creative. Then its just a matter of deciding between seven-card stud or Texas hold em. Be creative! Devote a night to learning basic phrases from various languages. The color red dominates decorations, which often include traditional crafts like intricate paper cutouts and couplets written in Chinese characters wishing good fortune in the coming year. Put students taste buds to the test with a hot-plate cook-off campus regulations permitting. You can host this event in the student center, gym, or college quad. Students will love the chance to do yoga while surrounded by adorable goats. Paint and sip event: Organize a paint and sip party for college students to try their hand at getting crafty. Posted on Last updated: December 20, 2022. Provide a 24-48 hour time limit for those students to write, direct, edit, and produce a short film. Let each other see who can out-spell the competition. Who doesnt love a good party? If your school has a Hindi or Urdu language department, see if they have additional resources to incorporate. In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. A dessert bar is always a popular draw, and its the perfect way to finish an event. Set up various backdrops around campus that students can pose in front of and post on social media. Campus Relay for Life is a particularly popular club that exists to benefit cancer research, cancer patients, and families touched by cancer. Convert an event hall into a the ultimate movie night slumber party, decked out with pillow forts, sleeping bags, an ice cream sundae station, and plenty of popcorn. Scavenger hunts involve creating a list of goals for a group to accomplish or items to collect. Adult coloring books are a great way to relax and de-stress. Create positive associations with your event to sell more tickets and secure sponsors and speakers. Invite special guests like business-savvy alumni and scouts from venture capitalist firms to bring banners, booths, and hiring and funding literature.