Tip:Section off a part of the hall where students can talk amongst themselves and only half-watch the movie. Teach students how to knit and make cozy winter clothes. When starting out in a career, you want to get to know as many people as possible who share your interests, passions, and responsibilities. Invite area critics and choose a panel of judges to pick the winner. Sell coffee for $1 in the libraries during finals and donate the money to a scholarship fund to help more students attend college. You can create online events for off-campus students by streaming TEDx to everyone at home or abroad. Coax students out of the library and their dorm rooms with the promise of snacks, games, and good company. Invite popular indie rock bands and hip-hop artists, and coordinate with the university art department about showcasing student works. A food truck rally is always a lot of fun, and its perfect for students who love to eat. This allows you to create clubs for less commonly spoken languages, such as Czech or Basque. Or, get a couple of ice cream makers and make your own customized concoction. Teach students how to do their taxes. Create imaginary monsters and adventurers, or pit Greek heroes like Perseus and Odysseus against creatures like Cyclops or Medusa. There are so many great event ideas that you can try out at your college campus! Give teams 24 or 48 hours to complete a movie based on a theme or genre. Event themes Listicle College events shape the social and intellectual fabric of your university. Give your event a musical theme, such as hard rock hair bands or harmonizing boy bands, or open it up to all genres of music. Highlight popular attractions, restaurants, recreation areas, and local monuments. Create positive associations with your event to sell more tickets and secure sponsors and speakers. Dodgeball tournaments are always a lot of fun. Check out additionalcreative ideas to inspire your next event. College campuses are made for events like this! Contact your local farmers market about providing locally grown fruits, vegetables, cheeses, honey, and meats. Ashley Austin specializes in topics such as event planning, skincare, health, decor, and lifestyle. Not everyone wants to be in the spotlight, so a prop workshop is a great way to involve more introverted types in the theater. A classic career fair brings employers onto campus to talk to students about their mission, hiring practices, and prospects. The size of your event may determine your answers. People need more than one raffle ticket (one drawing per basket), so make more $ and sell them in bulk: 15 for $10. Pet therapy is a great way to reduce stress and anxiety. Comedians regularly include colleges on their tour stops, so it could be worth reaching out to a famous name to check availability. Play a game of Clue on campus and see who can solve the mystery firstwhich may be a great idea to include faculty members as characters! Weve all heard of bar crawls, right? The following college event ideas are designed to appeal to students, help connect them with one another, improve their experience at events, introduce them to local businesses and organizations, and much more. To help combat all of this, partner with local vendors, artisans, and farmers to set up a Farmers Market for students. You can even invite students to draw their own and share! Itll be a lot of fun for students. Pizza parties are always a lot of fun, and they provide a great opportunity for students to socialize and take a break from the dining hall food. Promote prizes, online recognition, and some serious bragging rights. What is hard is creating one that will be able to compete with everything else that is going on around campus. Create a membership committee to focus on new ways to bring in members. Donating blood is always a good thing to do, and its perfect for college students who want to help out those in need. Post-event engagementwill ensure that you continue to come up with unique, compelling college event ideas. Comedians regularly include colleges on their tour stops, so it could be worth reaching out to a famous name to check availability. The pop of firecrackers and gifts of cash stuffed in red envelopes are other hallmarks of the festivities, which traditionally last for two weeks. But to draw interest, youll need to look beyond formal talks and job fairs. Put students taste buds to the test with a hot-plate cook-off campus regulations permitting. Channel Coachella and create your ownmusic and arts festival on campus. Spirit week is always a lot of fun, and its perfect for students who love to dress up. Provide a 24-48 hour time limit for those students to write, direct, edit, and produce a short film. TEDx. Tour local gardens, pinpoint hiking opportunities, and point out the local flora and fauna. Be sure to have a lot of Christmas-themed games for students to play. Board game cafes are becoming increasingly popular, and students will love the chance to spend a night in playing their favorite games. Sure, academics should take precedence, but everyone loves to hang out and socialize with their peers. 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. 1. How to Celebrate St. Patricks Day in the U.S. 25 Event Ideas, Planning Conferences and Corporate Events in 2023: Trends and Challenges, How to Attract Visitors to Your Exhibition Booth, How to Plan a Seminar: A 16-Step Checklist, For more ways to make your on-campus event stand out and. The following college event ideas are designed to appeal to students, help connect them with one another,improve their experienceat events, introduce them to local businesses and organizations, and much more. People love free stuff, and giving away small prizes is a great way to get students excited about your event. Museums are always a great place to learn about different subjects, and students will love the chance to explore them. Here are three easy-to-execute fundraising ideas to help campus groups collect donations and award a giant check to a good cause: Student organizations can set up a booth at a high-traffic area on campus and, for a donation of just a dollar, teach their fellow students how to fold cranes or other beautiful origami creatures. Another great way to giveaway prizes is by having a raffle. You could either have a theme or let students come up with their own ideas. An interactive challenge that gets them moving and holds their attention will help students learn about the history of their campus, the unique architecture in town, local businesses, and uncover interesting facts about the city. Drive fundraising with charity eventsand encourage students to organize their own campus services. 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. Role-playing games like Dungeons & Dragons have entertained fantasy fans since the 1970s. There are plenty of organizations that would love to have your help. College students may not be a population known for having a ton of disposable income, but what they lack in income they make up for social concern and engagement. If you make it a regular occurrence, it can be a fun venue for both meeting new people and passing time with old friends in a casual and laidback environment. Amusement parks are always a lot of fun, and students will love the chance to get out and have some fun. What kind of event are you throwing? Some students love to compete, testing themselves constantly against their peers. University events dont have to be boring, they dont have to be limited to either a panel discussion or local city tours (though both can be great ideas). With the user-friendly digital tools at our disposal today, anyone can make a short movie. See if the campus bakery can offer cookies and juice for donors. Host a wheel of fortune night! A campfire is probably ill-advised, so try a portable electric cooker instead. 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 . Have participants dress in themed costumes for extra fun, or make it a fundraiser with pledges for laps completed. Below are some examples of online programs your organization could host. Set your poetry slam in a coffeehouse and enjoy cappuccinos and cookies, or gather in a park or campus amphitheater for fun in the sun. 6. Time to find out whos the Console Champion with a video game tournament. Digitize your notes for easier review. Many companies turn to college students as prospective employees, so they may even want to sponsor events focused on career matters. When planning your scavenger hunt, include a task that requires participants to ask five strangers to name their favorite thing about the school. Include a find the hidden talent challenge that encourages competitors to build bonds with other students by unlocking their unique skills. Help your student body put their best foot forward. Let student musicians show off their best guitar licks and drum solos in an auditorium, amphitheater classroom, or outdoor space where guests can sit and watch. Surely there are a few certified yoga or aerobics instructors in your student body! You should choose a charity or NGO that work for the cause supporting women or women empowerment. You could either go to a local bowling alley or have a bowling tournament. A poker tournament doesnt have to involve gambling instead, let the winnings benefit a particular charity or cause. You could either have your own book club or partner with a local organization. Games designed for indoor events are the perfect solution. Connect film, theater, art, design, and other departments by sponsoring a student film competition. You could partner with a local charity or organization. Offering virtual events can give those who cant make it to campus the chance to participate in campus life. These event ideas for college campuses are as educational as they are fun: Some of the worlds most successful businesses were founded out of college dorm rooms. You could even host a dorm room cooking class that shows students how to make restaurant-quality meals in their microwaves. You can also meet your fundraising efforts by setting up shop across campus and selling other tasty grab-and-go snacks. Still, we cant always make it to the nearest wilderness for our backpacking excursions. Raise awareness about positive relationship behaviors, safe sex, and healthy intimacy with taboo-busting programming tailored to college-aged students. You could either provide the supplies or have students bring their own. Students can wash cars to help raise money for a good cause. 19. You could either create your own hunts or use ones that are already made. Similar to a fall festival, harvest festivals emphasize food and farm products. Now the platform encourages campuses to begin their own version of the digitally evolved lecture series. , check out these fun event ideas for college students. 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. Or, for older students, try a. where guests bring their favorite libations for an evening of watercolors, easels, and drinks. Require students to be members in order to attend. Scavenger hunts are always a lot of fun, and theyre perfect for a day or night out. Car smashes are always a lot of fun, and theyre perfect for students who love to destroy things. Ask students to submit a picture of themselves as a baby. Tip:The funds raised through the clothing swap can be donated alongside any clothing that remains after the event is through! Highlight unique eats in the neighborhood, helping new students find their favorite restaurants while supporting local businesses as well. Great for the fall time, organize a trip to the pumpkin patch. Whether you play indoors or outdoors, theres something for everyone. 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. From developing software to selling handmade crafts, there are bound to be some enterprising students on your campus. , but without the multi-million-dollar broadcast network budget. They usually focus on imagination and mental abilities, which should be just the thing for a campus full of budding scholars. For many students, college can be an emotionally challenging time. Its possible to hold them over a wide, though not necessarily connected, area. If your campus has a fall festival, take advantage of it! Exercise can be a great mental health booster also. Take inspiration from Big Brother/Big Sister programs and pair seniors with freshmen. Regular entertainment programming on college campuses can give students who aren't party animals new opportunities to relax and socialize. Laughter is a great stress reliever, so comedys an ever-popular event choice for students loaded down with exams, jobs, and extracurricular activities. Just be sure students stick around afterward to help clean up! Just be sure to clear your calendar wargaming classics like Squad Leader and Warhammer can take place over days or weeks. A festival combines a main activity or theme with events that might occur over a weekend or the course of days. Be sure to have a variety of games for students to choose from. Invite your campus next Steven Spielberg or Jordan Peele to show their stuff on the big screen. Long-distance students attending virtual classes will have little experience with your schools campus. Take 30 minutes each week to review the previous week and plan the week to come. Be sure to advertise well in advance so everyone knows about it. Host tournaments for classic and online gamers. Collaborative event sales software that increases qualified leads and drives direct revenue. If you make a purchase, GenTwenty may receive a commission at no additional cost to you. Food drives are always important, and theyre a great way to get students involved. Offer a chapter scholarship or book award (money towards textbooks) for members only. We believe in keeping our customers happy by providing them with best quality products at a very competent price. Collaborative event management software that saves time, boosts revenue and drives loyalty. Students will love trying to solve the mystery. Not all students are sports fans, but most students are fans of fun and are looking to take in interesting and new experiences. Include only games that date before the 18th century. Help new students pimp their dorm room with some easy, DIY decor. Not only that, but dorm food usually consists of ramen, pizza rolls, and pocketed dining hall items, and lets be real here the options at the dining hall probably arent very healthy either. Invite successful alums to serve as a mentor to students majoring in a relevant area. What do you get with you combine English majors with the debate club? Once you have your design, you can order shirts from a printing company and then sell them to students, faculty, and community members. University life is about fun and learning, and what better way to help that mission than with community events that give back? So we cobbled together 25 unique campus recruitment event ideas that are sure to attract not just the best students, but also the best companies to the floor. 3. Alternatively, impress the history department with out-of-fashion historical games like three-card brag or organize a round of the classic French. Are you looking to host college events that students will actually want to attend? Include an online component as part of an in-person club meeting, or make it solely online and open it up to a broader number of participants. Serve appetizers and drinks so guests stick around. Many theater companies are now incorporating virtual performances into their regular programming. Not every weekend at college needs to be all about tailgating and keggers. Indoor games dont have to require athleticism. Coordinate your event with your schools LGBTQ+ community to create an inclusive, gender-neutral event. 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. 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. 14 College Event Ideas Students Will Actually Attend, classes that will teach them applicable skills, study from the American College Health Association, Create groups and promote events on Facebook, four tips to help university event planners succeed, The Complete Guide to Early Bird Registration for Events, Before, During, and After: The Complete Guide to Event Engagement . You could partner with a local charity or organization. Reach out to local farms and vendors to organize a campus farmers market. A poetry slam puts spoken word performance front and center. Just be sure students stick around afterward to help clean up! 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. Pajama parties are always a lot of fun, and theyre the perfect way to spend a night in. 7. This event is open to the public. Thanks to Netflixs massively popular Stranger Things, interest has exploded. This event suits urban campuses, where many museums and galleries might dot the landscape. Organize a community-wide donation drive. Provide support for students who find themselves outside of their social, political, or economic comfort zones. Host a contest Whether it's a dance contest, a singing or karaoke contest, a stand-up comedy showcase, or battle of the bands, the possibilities for contests are countless. As more students become online-only enrollees, online events might take on new importance. A classic movie night is always a hit with students. When entrepreneurs from your campus arent showcasing their projects, another part of the spotlight can function similarly to a college recruiting event or career fair. Teach the introductory signs and help each other communicate better. 2. Sex plays a big role in campus culture, but that doesnt mean that talking about it is easy. Paint a mural is always a lot of fun, and its perfect for students who want to get creative. Its time to shift your perspective. You can also be more specific with the pairings, like pairing first-gen college students with older first-gen students who understand their experience. You may be able to include local restaurants to participate. On-Campus Entertainment Ideas Not every weekend at college needs to be all about tailgating and keggers. But make sure your cooking classes have an enticing theme and plan easy, cheap, and college-student-friendly dishes. Consider marketing to individual departments, clubs, and organizations related to your event. Host a bingo night and see who can win the most rounds. Althea Marin Santos (al-they-ya, mar-ine, san-tos) is a Filipina immigrant raised in Northeast Los Angeles. Kristu Jayanti College. Industry-Specific Conference or Training. Be sure to have a variety of comedians for students to choose from. Schools should ensure that their digital connectivity is up to par by automating student communication, creating online hubs for assistance, and promoting social media use. Board game nights are always popular, and theyre the perfect way to spend a night in. Team up with an off-campus organization to promote and orchestrate a meaningful community event. So, contact local restaurants and food trucks about offering easy finger foods. Or create an LGBTQ+ mentorship program or event. El Cajon, CA 92020, Custom Frosted Glass Decals & Etched Glass Window Film, Digital & Graphic Design Trends of 2021 [Infographic], The Digital & Graphic Design Trends of 2020 [Infographic], 8 Gripping & Versatile Experiential Marketing Concepts [Infographic], 9 Creative Trade Show Booth Ideas [Infographic]. Adult coloring books are a great way to relax and de-stress. It can be challenging, however, for businesses, organizations, and evenuniversity event plannersto come up with creative college event ideas that actually work. Pitch your idea or Request a donation from us. Local businesses can set up tables and sell themed goods. You could have a variety of music genres or stick to one type. Set up crafting stations in dorm rooms, and gardening fun with desk-sized plants to place in their dorm rooms. As far as event ideas for college students go, the open-mic is a tried and true classic that never fails to please. Give teams 24 or 48 hours to complete a movie based on a theme or genre. Theres nothing like a competition to attract attention. Consider doing a series of industry-focused career fairs for targeted interactions. Partner with the agriculture and food science departments to teach students about the work that goes into growing their food, environmental factors to consider, and the importance of farming in our society. 3) Ask parents who own businesses that could donate. Mix it up by hosting quidditch matches in the park or advertise a community-wide LARPing (live action role play) competition on campus. You could either do this at a local rock climbing gym or outdoors. Screen the films at a local theater or on campus. Whenever a music legend passes, give students a chance to mourn the artist they love and show off their own musical talent by hosting an open-mic night and memorial concert in their name. and the Pixies) got its name for a reason. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, is generally credited with inventing miniature wargaming. Language clubs are a perfect fit for an online event. Alternatively, host an open mic night and encourage students to try out their best routines. You could also partner with another campus organization to do this. Host a homecoming dance and game to celebrate your school spirit. Seamlessly manage and optimize group sales performance across your entire portfolio. A docent or other expert could lead these for a more educational experience. 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. Be sure to have a variety of food options for students to choose from. While outdoor games and events are great for getting students out of their rooms and off their screens, we know the weather doesnt always cooperate.