Almost every Oakland University student I know spends their weekends at either the University of Michigan or Michigan State University. 

There’s no debate that OU has a weak social life. Sure, you can hit a fraternity or find a house party, but your odds of a livelier weekend are much higher in Ann Arbor or East Lansing.

I’m guilty of this myself. My best friend lives in East Lansing, and my other best friend is an RA at the University of Michigan. I visit them about once a month. Those weekends are spent exploring campus, meeting their college friends or going out at night. 

My weekends in Rochester are noticeably calmer – I’ll have brunch with a friend, catch up on writing or go for a peaceful run around my neighborhood. 

When Friday hits, OU’s campus empties. Most of the remaining social life happens in downtown Rochester at the bars – so if you’re under 21, your options are sparse. 

I’ll hustle my friends at Main Street Billiards (and usually lose), grab a pint at O’Connor’s (a favorite of former Post graphics designer Zachary Oberdier) or go line dancing at Coyote Joe’s (and yes, I’m seriously considering buying cowgirl boots.)  

Let me preface this by saying I’m not complaining. I willingly chose to attend Oakland University – and I really do love my school, my professors, and the community I’ve found here. What OU lacks in social life, it makes up for in flexibility and work experience. I’ve consistently worked over 20 hours a week since freshman year and have held steady, career-building jobs. When I’m not on campus, I’m usually working.

Now that I have given OU its subtle (unpaid) sponsorship, I can still recognize that there are some flaws – one of them being the social life.

Student Angela Gojcaj said she visited her friend group in East Lansing over the previous weekend.

“My experience in East Lansing over the weekend was very fun. My whole friend group goes to MSU, and I don’t see them until Christmas, so [I] just go see and hang out with them,” Gojcaj said. 

“The social life is very different. Everyone there talks to each other, like walking up and down the street, and like no one will talk to you here unless you approach them first,” she said.

Erik Kola, another OU student, explained that he frequently visits MSU, but not necessarily for the atmosphere.

“I’ve been to MSU a number of times, and you know, Michigan State is definitely a filthy school, but I go there because my friends are there,” Kola said. “That’s probably the main reason, 100%.”

Kola explained how he prefers Ann Arbor over East Lansing. 

“Michigan is way better than MSU,” Kola said. “Clean, more safe, not a lot of idiotic stuff happening on campus – that type of thing.”

Student Alex Matovski also chimed in – sharing his experience in Ann Arbor.

“With my experience at UMich, I’ve got a friend who goes there,” Matovski said. “It’s Ann Arbor, so there’s a lot more stuff to do than around Auburn Hills.”

“There’s a lot more people at UMich, for starters. It’s a lot easier to socialize, and a lot of my friends’ friends are down there that I know as well. So it’s like we all go hang out,” Matovski said. 

So, although the social options in Auburn Hills may seem sparse, OU students are resourceful and find alternatives – whether it be Ann Arbor, East Lansing or somewhere near or on campus.