Weekend Wiles: Going Out vs. Staying In

GOING OUT:

Every weekend, I debate the usual decision — should I go out tonight, or stay in? Though staying in may be the easier choice, there’s no question going out is more fun. 

Even if a night out is filled with chaos and confusion, it’ll almost always end with a good time. Going out assures dancing, new friends and unforgettable memories. 

Oftentimes, the logistics of going out can be difficult to work out, but it doesn’t have to be a hassle. It’s easy to go out at 10 p.m., have a great time and still be in bed right after midnight. 

Going out can be the final push needed to finish a tough week. It’s a guaranteed fun zone away from the hustle and bustle of difficult classes, work and unwanted people. 

For women, going out includes getting ready with friends — the hidden gem of a night out. It’s a great chance to listen to music with friends, dance, chat, laugh, offer outfit advice and compliment one another. 

Spending a night in the city will usually break up usual, forgettable routines. Each night promises to be fun and unique — a joy that’s nearly impossible when spending the night in. 

And going out doesn’t have to mean drinking. There are plenty of 18+ clubs that allow the majority of college students to let loose and just spend a fun night out without breaking the law. 

There’s no better cure for a bad mood than walking into a party with early 2000s music vibrating off the walls, a crowd dancing like there’s no tomorrow and pulsing lights painting the room in pinks, blues and reds. 

Going out is a great way to step out of your comfort zone and meet new people. After all, there may be no better conversation than the one struck up while in line for the bathroom with a stranger who somehow, suddenly becomes a best friend. 

For me, dancing is the best part of going out. It’s a time to let loose without a care in the world, let my hair fly everywhere and trade time for laughter and rhythm, losing myself with each beat. 

There’s no greater joy than getting back to my dorm room at 3 a.m. — still laughing about something from a few hours ago — and head to bed with a smile. 

Going out turns a forgettable night most likely spent doom-scrolling into an unforgettable evening spent with new and old friends, brimming with hilarious stories to be told to future grandchildren.

STAYING IN

The first year of college is notorious for three things — freedom, independence and partying. There are no parents to monitor actions or guide decision-making.

With this comes a stigma of what the first year of college should look like. I felt pressured to go out every weekend and meet new people constantly — which isn’t at all a necessity for a fun first year. 

As the year has progressed, I’ve felt more content with my decisions to stay in. After a long week, sometimes the best way to wind down is to watch a movie or read a book cozy and at home while eating a sweet treat. 

Each student’s form of de-stressing can look different, and it’s important not to pressure people into going out if they’ve made it clear they don’t want to. 

While spending time with peers is essential during the transition from high school to college, it’s also peers who directly or indirectly pressure people to engage in activities they don’t necessarily want to, according to New York University.

I often decline invitations to go out, and when friends tell me they expected my turndown, it feels like a subtle jab at my personal choice to spend a night in. 

There’s also a stigma that staying in requires being alone — but it doesn’t have to. A board game night with friends or a movie night with family are both social forms of staying in.

There are also benefits to a night alone, such as improving concentration and productivity, giving the brain time to reboot and unwind while enhancing the quality of existing relationships, according to Psychology Today. 

There’s also the financial factor. Money can become tight the first year of college, and going out brings a plethora of unexpected expenses that add up fast. 

Ubering to or from a party can range anywhere from $20-$50 in my experience — and that’s just one way. Getting into events or parties generally costs $15-$20, and then there’s also getting food or drinks while at the event. 

If someone of age were to buy a  alcoholic beverages, it just adds to the cost. The average college student spends about $900 a year on alcohol, according to Saint Peter’s University. 

Think about what that money could be put toward instead — rent, tuition, books or even saving up for a trip. 

This isn’t to say going out is always the worse option, but coming into college is a time when students should focus on what they want — and allow themselves to say no.

Take my advice and consider a night in. It’s worth it.