It is very difficult to say what the most popular student activities are, because there are just so many. Mizzou has over 500 student organizations, with new ones being formed every semester. While this sounds exaggerated, it is very true. Being involved is a huge part of being a college student and Mizzou offers thousands of opportunities for involvement. Athletic events are the most frequented. Tiger pride is hard to suppress. Not one game will be void of black and gold banners and a black and gold-clad crowd. Student sports, such as intramural soccer and basketball are also popular.
Of course, there is much more to do than just watch sports. There are productions at the Rhyn, a local theater, that play very often. Free movies play every weekend and several nights a week. The hundreds of student organizations always have something interesting going on. Luckily there is a handy website available to all students that actually lists all the activities on a given night at Mizzou. From concerts at the Blue Note, to sales at Dreamcatcher, to Chipotle coupons, student government makes sure students are aware of possible involvement opportunities. Volunteering is also a popular choice among Tigers. I volunteer at a local therapeutic riding center for children with special needs, along with re-stacking books at Ellis Library. For those interested in Greek life, Mizzou is perfect. There are dozens of fraternities and sororities that each have a different purpose and goal. Greek life is a major component of Mizzou life, but no one should feel obligated to join. Frats and sororities are for some people and not for others. My roommate and the rest of the guys on my floor are in the same frat; I spend much of time with them, including partying at their frat, however I'm not in it. So even if all of your friends are Greek, you don't have to be. It's the same way for partying. Partying is very big at Mizzou. The majority of students party and love to party. I love to party. Nevertheless, everything should be taken in moderation. My friends and I party a few times a week, not every night like many people assume. College life isn't as stereotypical as it seems, and Mizzou isn't a typical large university. There are many alternatives to partying. There are late night movies, shows and plays always happening. The rec center is open until 11. That nifty website generally provides 3 or 4 alternatives to partying every night. If nothing too intriguing is on though, Downtown Columbia is only minutes away. It's a short walk from campus and is full of shops, stores, boutiques, restaurants, bars, or if you're like me, tattoo parlors. There are 4 tattoo parlors in downtown, and each one is stocked with talented artists. One of those artists planted a beautiful mermaid on my inner arm. Looking for quality tattoos? Mizzou's the right place for you. Besides downtown, there's always the natural beauty of Columbia. I spend many weekends running, mountain biking, skateboarding, trail running, hiking, swimming, and fishing. It's the middle of Missouri, the middle of the country; it's stunning.