Why should late-night student programs be a priority for your campus? While getting an education and pursuing career goals are the motivating factors for students attending colleges and universities, the college experience has much more to offer than a solid education. Involvement in campus life beyond the classroom builds a sense of belonging and connects students to their environment and their peers. Participating in events and extracurricular activities is also linked to increased academic achievement and student retention.
However, nearly one-third of students spend no time on extracurricular activities. Only 14% spend six to ten hours a week engaging with others at events or activities associated with their organizations. Finding a more vibrant and active campus community is the second biggest reason students transfer to another school. So, creating inclusive and engaging student programs and events is one way higher education institutions can build a sense of community for students. And late-night student programs fit the bill.
Benefits of Late-Night Student Programs in Higher Ed
Student weekdays are usually incredibly busy and sometimes chaotic. Students work hard to succeed in class and meet all their obligations. While relaxation is welcome during downtime, students who don’t have an active social life or haven’t had the opportunity to meet a lot of new friends can feel isolated.
Late-night programs are ideal for building a sense of community among students and rallying school pride. Alcohol-free events scheduled in prime social times can also help students avoid negative social situations or the pressures of finding entertainment off-campus. When these campus events are posted on your institution’s digital calendar, students can easily learn the details and connect with other students planning to attend, improving access.
10 Ideas for Late-Night Student Programs
Late-night student program event ideas should promote socialization while allowing students to choose their preferred level of participation. Incorporating a wide range of offerings into your late-night student schedule can help you develop student activities that appeal to a wide audience.
Our top ten ideas for late-night student entertainment are easy to set up and can be used as a launchpad to create an ongoing schedule and keep students engaged in new campus activities throughout the year.
1. Midnight Breakfasts During Finals Week
Finals week is an intensely stressful time for students, as studying is the priority, and there isn’t much time for anything else. Midnight breakfasts encourage relaxation and self-care while providing some much-needed nutrition before the next gruelling day of testing. For many students, the event is a welcome study break or a time to relax with peers sharing a similar situation.
2. Movie Nights on the Lawn or in the Theater
Movies are a great, low-stress activity that brings students together for a shared experience. The event can be scheduled routinely to encourage increased attendance over time. You can further improve engagement in these late-night student programs by setting up polls for choosing a movie and encouraging various student organizations to host snack and beverage tables. When movies are held outdoors, set up automated texts to remind attendees to bring lawn chairs or blankets for comfort.
3. Glow-in-the-Dark Frisbee or Capture the Flag
There’s no reason that relaxing events can’t include activity. Common games like frisbee and capture the flag are easy to learn. They can also encourage friendly competition among peers. Using glow-in-the-dark equipment allows students to participate routinely throughout the year, even as the days get shorter. Attaching glow sticks to goal posts and encouraging participants to adorn themselves in glowing attire increases the fun and improves visibility after dark for players and spectators.
4. Silent Disco or Headphone Dance Party
Headphones are a key accessory for every college student. But they’re typically used to tune out the world around them. A silent disco or headphone dance party uses headphones to connect users with the same audio. Music is provided by any device, such as a phone, tablet, or laptop, and headphones for the event are typically rented. Transmitters connect to the headphones, usually allowing users to choose a music source or switch between them. Don’t worry, these “silent” parties don’t stay silent for long, as students will be talking, laughing, and likely singing off-key.
5. Open Mic Night or Student Talent Show
An Open Mic Night or Talent Show provides a unique opportunity for students to surprise each other with their capabilities. A quiet student may suddenly become the life of the party with a hilarious comedy routine or karaoke set, or the most devoted student could be a rock guitarist in disguise. Talent shows that encourage students to participate in any way they want can rival popular TV shows and attract large crowds of spectators. In the days leading up to the event, send out reminders for all participants to bring any supplies they need for their performance.
6. Late-Night Game Show Events
Most people have watched game shows throughout their lives. They yell out answers and mock-participate from the comfort of the living room couch. Game show events encourage students to participate for prizes, trophies, or recognition. But game shows aren’t the only types of games students will engage with. Trivia night and board games are popular alternatives. When planning the late-night event, gather student feedback about the best games to host.
7. DIY Craft and Snack Stations
Activities and snacks go hand in hand as a way for like-minded students to interact and share common interests. Increase attendance levels by encouraging students to host tables or share interests they’d like to see at the event. Post polls on social media and interactive digital technologies to build interest.
8. Speed Dating or Friend Roulette
Meeting people in the modern world isn’t as easy as it seems. It can be hard to look up from our handheld devices and participate IRL. Speed dating or friend roulette can encourage students to engage with others and help develop friendships or relationships. Hold the event in a location that allows plenty of room for movement, and encourage students to set the tone for the program.
9. Wellness Wind-Down: Yoga, Meditation, and Journaling
From studying and testing to living in an unfamiliar environment and adulting, college can be hard. A focus on self-care and wellness is critical to help students succeed. A study by the American College Health Association revealed that 48% of college students experience moderate or severe psychological stress. Also, 53% report being lonely. Coordinated wellness activities can bring students together and promote the value of mindfulness, self-care, and relaxation.
10. Late-Night Student Markets for Pop-Up Shops
Unique and personalized gifts are more popular than ever. Many students are natural creators, participating in activities that may include painting, needlework, jewelry making, carving, and much more. Night student markets encourage students to share their talents and help them earn additional income for savings, school needs, or entertainment.
Tips for Planning Successful Late-Night Student Programs
College student life is a vibrant mosaic of new experiences and learning opportunities. Actively engaging students and encouraging healthy attendance requires planners to incorporate familiar and new activities that naturally encourage interaction and socialization. Creating successful events that everyone will enjoy will boost future attendance and help students develop their own unique community. These tips can help you ensure your late-night student programs are a success.
- Get student feedback. Surveys, polls, and questionnaires can be used to learn about student interests and the types of programs likely to build the highest interest levels.
- Provide ample information. Getting the word out is critical to building awareness and encouraging attendance. Use paper flyers, social media posts, calendar reminders, etc., to share all the details students need for enjoyable participation.
- Leverage digital technology: A modern interactive event calendar makes scheduling and sharing events easy. When you choose an event calendar that seamlessly connects with communication and wayfinding features, you make it easier than ever for students to spread the word and increase engagement and attendance.
- Do your research. Planning an event isn’t enough to make it spectacular. Ensure you have the tools and equipment on hand to make the event a memorable one that students will want to repeat.
- Use data to improve your program over time. Using key performance indicators and measurable data to assess attendance and student response will allow you to determine which events are most successful.
- Send out reminders on social media and SMS. Automated communication services will help planners post reminders about upcoming events and even text participants about scheduling and equipment.
Simplify Student Event Management With Concept3D
Modern digital technology designed for higher education institutions makes planning and executing successful events easier than ever. Digital tools that enable seamless integration can incorporate event scheduling, social sharing, and wayfinding all in one place.
Using Concept3D for your student event calendar software centralizes your school’s events into a single, fully branded calendar, simplifying event discovery for your student community. Localist Online Events calendar is easy to search, shareable on social media, and mobile-friendly, making it the ideal way for students to learn about student programs and spread the word to their friends.
Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you improve your event planning experience to enhance student engagement and attendance, or schedule your free demo.