Coming to college for the first time, freshmen may feel excited about their newfound freedom. Instead of wasting parent-free time, plenty of activities exist for freshmen to take part in.

— Go to sporting events

The University has an amazing atmosphere for sports. When you go to a football or basketball game, go all out. Wear your Jayhawk T-shirt with pride, sport a temporary tattoo and make a day of it. Meet with your friends beforehand to have your own pre-game tradition. Maybe you watch basketball videos on YouTube before heading to Allen Fieldhouse or maybe you all go out to eat for barbecue before walking to Memorial Stadium. Whatever tradition you choose, make it your own. Take advantage of your on-campus location while you can — you don’t have to worry about parking,

— Bowl

Lucky for us, the University has its very own bowling lanes right on campus. The Jaybowl on the first floor of the Kansas Union is open year round for students to enjoy. For students, bowling is $2.50 per game or $18 for an hour per lane. Friday and Saturday from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. Jaybowl has “cosmic bowling,” which is bowling under a black light and free for students.

— Enjoy the theater.

The University has both University Theatre productions and Lied Center productions right at our fingertips. Students can enjoy a taste of the Big Apple with the Lied Center’s “Broadway Series.” Five Broadway style musicals are coming to Lawrence this year including “Sweeney Todd.” Students can also attend productions with student actors put on by The University Theatre. The University Theatre season includes four shows each semester. If you feel you’re better suited on stage rather than watching the stage, brush up your monologue and prepare for the spring round of auditions. Auditions are not just for theater students, any student can get involved in University Theatre.

—Free activities at the Union

Student Union Activities (SUA) provides weekly free activities for students to enjoy. Every Thursday students can take a break from their busy schedules and enjoy tea time at 3 p.m. Tea and cookies are served in the lobby of the Kansas Union. If you’re more of a rocker than a tea connoisseur, enjoy free music on the Union plaza at noon on Fridays.

— Become a preferred student

SUA preferred student cards help you get access to all entertainment put on by SUA. Most Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays SUA shows movies in the Union at 8 p.m. The preferred student card allows you to see these for free. Card holders are also given first priority and discounts in purchasing tickets on concerts and guests coming to the University through SUA. The card costs $30.

— Check out 18+ venues

The Bottleneck hosts two weekly events open to those who are underage. Every Sunday at 8:30 p.m. people can come to “Smackdown Trivia and Karaoke.” Those who dream of being on a game show can show off their skills at the weekly trivia game featuring grammar, academia and pop culture. The $5 cover goes towards the winners earnings. The Bottleneck also hosts NEON dance party every Thursday at 10 p.m. Dancers can move to hip-hop, rap, pop, funk and even disco. Cover is $5 for people under 21.

— Escape to Kansas City

There are plenty of activities to enjoy in our neighboring city. Take a day to go shopping at Country Club Plaza and take advantage of the large concert venues. Coldplay will perform at the Sprint Center on Nov. 13 and Maroon 5 and Counting Crows will perform with Augustana on Sept. 26 at the Starlight Theater.

— Edited by Ramsey Cox