The weekend starts tonight. No, it's not time for T.G.I.F yet. Weekend celebrations start Thursday night at the University.
"The bulk of my classes are done by Thursday, so I'm usually ready to go out," second-year College student Eric Christensen said of partying on Thursday nights. "It's a good break before I start my work due the next week."
While starting the weekend early may seem irresponsible, students say they just have to learn how to manage their time.
"Everyone is at this University for a reason. They work well. They manage their time well. They don't bulls---," second-year Engineering student Chris Synder said.
With spring registration coming up, some students are strategizing to schedule their classes back-to-back on specific days so alternate nights are freed up for going out. Others are benefiting from this system now.
"I have no Friday classes, so I usually go out on Thursday night," University Judiciary Chairwoman Lissa Percopo said. But Percopo, a fourth-year College student, said she also realizes the importance of partying when it's appropriate.
"This Friday though, I have an important paper due, so most likely you'll find me at home," she said.
Students are very aware of what a "good" schedule is and will at times go to lengths to arrange their schedule to provide for leisure time.
"When students call for help in arranging their schedule, you know they're usually trying to avoid morning classes," Assistant Registrar Robert LeHeup said.
Even better than classes starting later in the day is having the entire day free.
"I arranged my schedule purposely not to have Friday classes. I like the benefits of really having a longer weekend," fourth-year Architecture student Gordon Fraley said.
For some whose schedule just works out, not having Friday classes seems like a blessing.
"My schedule just sort of fell into place. Not having Friday classes worked itself out which is great," Percopo said. "I only have six months left [at the University] so I want to have as much fun as possible."
Just as a student's weekly schedule determines whether or not they go out during the week, students often reward themselves by upping their party time, after an especially hectic week.
"After midterms were over last year, the next week was a definite celebration. The lack of work and wanting to relieve the stress lingering from the prior week brought me out very early in the week," second-year College student Eve Cockrill said.
Some students consider partying a necessity after the stress of academically intense times.
"People are always celebrating. They reward themselves with a night out after having taken a hard exam or something. You hear it all the time," said Antrone Wells, a bartender at Buddhist Biker Bar and third-year College student.
Although Thursdays are the most popular weeknight to head out, the chance of coming across a partying University student can happen any given day of the week. Bars advertise nightly specials to lure the weeknight partiers.
"The whole area is student oriented so we do anything we can to bring people in," O'Neils General Manager Chris Jones said.
The Biltmore, for example, is known for its Tuesday night $3 pitchers of beer.
"Every Tuesday night is pretty much strictly college students," Biltmore bartender David Lovell said. "It's definitely our best night of the week. It's packed, and it can get pretty crazy."
Buddhist Biker Bar runs their "wine spectacular" on Tuesday nights as well, which gets an impressive turnout.
"It's pretty much 99 percent women because the special itself lends a laid back atmosphere," Wells said. "It's a break from the six-pitcher-a-night crowds. Our Tuesday night goers definitely use it as a relaxing mid-week break."
Nightly specials at bars cater not only to the students' diverse schedules but to their budgets as well.
"It's definitely another added influence for students deciding whether or not to hit the party scene. Specials provide an inexpensive way to get together and have a good time," Robb said.
It is not so much a matter of whether weeks should be reserved to work and weekends to partying, but instead a matter of how a student manages their schedule.
"As long as students are responsible and do what is needed as far as work goes, it shouldn't matter when they choose to go out," Robb said.
Even campus bars notice the responsibility students have for their work.
"We have a major drop in business during exam week," Jones said. "We normally see the other side of student partying - the post celebration of exams"
Read More
Letting go of my first year FOMO
By Mai Hukuoka | 5 hours agoIn an attempt to transition to University life, I found myself saying “yes” to way too many things, which left me feeling detached from my surroundings rather than at home on Grounds.
Days on the Lawn gives newly admitted Class of 2028 a taste of Grounds
By Miriella Jiffar and Mia Tan | 2 days agoThe annual spring program invites newly admitted students and their families to experience information sessions, resource fairs and tours around Grounds.
The weight of saying “I love you”
By Mai Hukuoka | 4 days agoWhile grand gestures can't fully describe the weight of love, that doesn't mean love has to be small. Love can, and should, feel heavy.
