University of Iowa Top Questions

The social life here is pretty crazy. There's something to do pretty much everyday. Yes, even besides going out to the bars. Although about 60{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of the student body does this at least twice a week, there is a ton of university programming to draw people away from getting trashed and getting cited for it. CAB (Campus Activities Board) hosts free movies, comedians, and other events every week, all year. The Lecture Committee hosts a lot of lectures, but that doesn't really interest most of us. There is a lot of cheap student theatre to attend. There are a ton of extracurriculars to be involved with like music and intramural sports. Also there are a lot of athletic events that are free to attend thanks to the bankness that is Hawkeye football. It's pretty sweet.

The biggest activity in Iowa City is drinking. All week long there are house parties and people bar hopping. Weather be damned, girls go out in short skirts and tank tops, and guys in t-shirts and shorts to party. That's where the social scene is in Iowa for the majority of the population. I on the other hand, am not participating in that. Just this last week, I went to all my classes and helped a friend on homework, generally being in bed by 12:30. Over the weekend, we went to the mall and bought a first season of a show and spent all over Saturday and into the wee hours of Sunday morning watching it. Sunday we went swimming. There are pockets of non-drinking people in Iowa and they always find ways to have more fun that they remember and are embarrassed about in a good way the next day. There are an excellent array of presentations through the Iowa City and University theaters. I saw within a months time both Lewis Black and Mike Birbiglia. The writing scene is also very hot. Authors come and read their work all week in book stores and lecture halls. People you leave with in the dorms are pretty cool, too. Doors generally remain open, but people aren't afraid to knock and walk in if the door's closed.

The largest student-run organization on campus is Dance Marathon. It is an amazing group that raises funds each year the University of Iowa Childrens' Hospital's Oncology Unit. Throughout the year, participants raise money for the Hospital. If they raise a minimum of $425 they get to be involved with our big event, a 24-hour dance marathon in the beginning of the next year in honor of the kids and families at UIHC. Most people follow Hawkeye football and basketball in their Big Ten conquests. About 15{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of the students here are involved in Greek life. I am so glad I chose to rush and join a sorority. These girls have been there for me so much during these last couple years. They have become my family. Although the Greek chapters on campus compete, Greeks have close friends in many house besides their own. Being Greek keeps you in the know about all of the other activities, organizations, and stuff going on on campus. Many chapter events are optional, so it really is what you make of it. Chapter-sponsored socials and events are a nice break from my hectic class schedule.

I living in the writing community and you couldn't find a more motivated and socially acceptable group of people anywhere. People here know how to buckle down and work while at the same time know how to be sociable. There's a joke that Stanley is very much the foil of Daum. (Where people are said to be so non-sociable, there are people who close the doors for other people) I have nothing against Daum, I have a lot of friends who live at Daum, but the thing of it is, they go to Daum to study and they come to Stanley in order to have some fun. Like many college students, not sleeping isn't a trend its a way of life and so usually if I'm awake, and I am...I'll order a pizza at three o'clock from Gumby's and since one of my friends doesn't like cheese, we'll get a pizza without any cheese and pineapple. Or else, I'll be playing with the poetry magnets people have put on their door, or I'll listen to my next door neighbor jam on her guitars and play the piano. Do some studying but its almost impossible to study after three o'clock in the morning so one might as well have some fun.

I've joined a lot of different organizations during my time here. Last year I expirimented with swing and salsa dance clubs and loved it. I joined a service fraternity (APO) and found it to be a good way to meet people, get involved on campus, and volunteer in the community. Both my years here I have played on a club soccer team which has been a blast. Athletic events-especially football-are a lot of fun. Going to the football games have been some of my favorite memories here. For the most part, students are social and leave their dorm doors open, unless you're living in a quiet, more study oriented dorm (like daum and stanley)

Like i said earlier we are known to be a party school which is fine, as long as you don't forget the real reason why you are here (to get an education!!!)

Greek Life and several student org's

I would say become involved in as many things as you can without overdoing it. The school work takes up a lot of time in and outside of class. There are always parties going on but there is also two malls and movie theaters around the area. There are great places to eat and nice parks to relax in.

The dorms are a great way of meeting people, especially if you live on a floor with other people in your same major. Students are generally very friendly and are looking to meet new people. Personally, I met my fiance who only lived 1 floor under me and was the same major that I was. I recommend for at least the first year living in the dorms.

I am partial to The 10,000 Hours Show. This is a student group that sponsors a free concert for everyone that volunteers 10 hours over the course of about a year. Dance Marathon, STAR, and CAB (campus activities board) are all pretty popular. There are always open doors. Even if they aren't open, most people are around and love to visit, so just knock! Athletics are HUGE! As far as the dating scene, I met my boyfriend in the dorms before school even started and it's really easy to meet people so a good dating scene. I was randomly assigned a roommate and we ended up being best friends and then we leave our door open a lot and people walk in and we become friends. Also, one night three boys walked into our room and asked us to dinner and that's how I met my boyfriend. Greek life here isn't that big but they are fairly active in campus life.