As important as academics are in college, it’s also nice to be able to relax and have fun in your free time. Many colleges boast about the plethora of activities available off-campus. But what if you aren’t attending school in a busy city like New York, Los Angeles, or Chicago? Sometimes it can feel like there’s nothing to do in a small town.

I’m from a city that is full of shops, activities, and entertainment. So when I started college in a small Midwestern town, I had no clue how I was going to keep myself busy. I didn’t have a car, and taking the bus to the nearest big city was too expensive to do often. How, then, was I to avoid getting tired of my new town?

Thankfully, I discovered that even small towns can have a lot to offer college students. Here are fourteen things to do in a small town to beat boredom and make the most of your college town life.

Table of Contents

1. Volunteer in the Community

Use your school’s career center or a website like Volunteer Match to find local organizations that could use your help.

Whether it’s coaching a kids’ sports team, painting a mural, or sorting donations at a food kitchen, there’s probably a position that matches your interests. By volunteering, you’ll be able to get out of the college bubble and connect with your new community.

2. Embrace Nature

Your town probably has several different spaces dedicated to nature; for example, parks, trails, and nature preserves.