Work Hard, Play Hard

Madison is notorious for its party reputation, but that isn’t even the start to why I enjoy the social life.  The friends you meet going to a school of 42,000 is unforgettable.  I live on floor ten of Sellery Hall with 31 guys and 32 girls.  This seems like a lot, but you get to know all of them.  If you want to go shop on State Street, watch a badger game, or go out for a night of fun, it is all outside your door.  The city has anything and everything in walking distance of the dorms.  I have been at this school for a whole semester and still feel as if I haven’t done everything I want. 

            People say that the schools social life only suits students that drink, but this is far from the truth with all the events that go on.  If you are not much of a drinker, go to the Orpheum or Majestic for a concert.  Madison is one of the biggest hotspots in the U.S. for concerts with headliners almost every weekend.  I have already been to Wiz Khalifa, Sam Adams, and Goo Goo Dolls in the short time of being here.  There’s also sporting events going on constantly between football, hockey, soccer, and basketball, which have all won a National Championship.  The Badger sports tradition is unlike any other school.  Streets of Madison on football game day explode with red and white all heading to the historic Camp Randal built in 1917.  The student section is the place to be between the chants, the wave, and the ever so lively 3^rd quarter intermission.  Every 3^rd quarter intermission the student section turns into a jumping dance party with the song “Jump Around” blaring from the speakers.  The school spirit and atmosphere is an experience I’m glad I didn’t miss.  

"Jump Around" Badger Fan Tradition

One of the best moments of my life was the Ohio State vs. Wisconsin game.  The Wisconsin underdogs scored on the opening kickoff, and the fans made sure that was game from that point on.  Badger fans crushed the Buckeyes confidence with the roar of the crowd.  We all stormed the field after we won 31-18.  The city was more than alive that night, between after parties and people celebrating.  It didn’t matter where in Madison you were from, the city was one, and everyone was a friend.  This moment will always be a highlight of my life.

If the party life is what you’re into, I found out this is the place to be.  This doesn’t mean students aren’t smart and never study, but they enjoy their free time when they have it.  Work hard, play hard is the motto of the majority of the students.  Monday through Thursday/Friday, depending on your schedule, is business, but once the weekend starts, the party begins.  Friends gather in the dorms and go out on the town for the night to make memories.  There’s Langdon Street, known as frat row, where fraternities host huge parties that are sometimes exclusive or open for everyone.  People flock here to take part in dancing, drinking games, and socializing.  If Langdon is dead or just getting old, I’ve noticed the students go to house parties all around town.  You could pick any street, and you’ll see a house with people pouring out of it screaming and laughing.  As you walk into these parties, you see people waiting in line for the $5 all you can drink keg, flirting and dancing with each other, playing drinking games, and just all around craziness.  UW-Madison didn’t get in the top ten party schools out of luck.  This is all good and fun, if you know how to manage your time.  You can’t let this scene take over your life, which I have seen in many of my friends.  Always choose school and studying first.