10 Awesome Things to Do at Sac State

Do you know how much cool stuff there is to do here on campus? I didn’t fully understand until this semester (my second) but let me tell you…there is a lot. I know it’s easy to get wrapped in schoolwork, and of course you should work hard! But you can’t forget to have fun and do other things to balance that out, and Sac State offers ample fun things to help you achieve that balance. Here are some of them.

Art Galleries: This is my favorite thing to do if I don’t have a ton of time but I need a quick, rejuvenating break. There is nothing like art to bring you back to life. I have only been to two of the galleries, the University Library Gallery (1st floor) and the University Union Gallery (2nd floor) but there are two more in Kadema Hall (the Else and Witt Galleries). They change throughout the semester so there is always something new to see.

Games Room: If you haven’t passed by it already, there is a Games Room in the University Union that holds all sorts of fun things! Video games, billiards, foosball, ping pong, and they even have competitions if you’re into that sort of thing.

Live Music and Movie Nights: There is a club called Unique that puts on all sorts of events like concerts, movies, even yoga nights throughout the semester! Wednesdays at noon they have live music, which is a great way to unwind as you eat some lunch.

Planetarium: Yeah, you know that giant ball by the fancy science building? It’s a planetarium, and while the tickets are highly in demand (they can sell out in literally five minutes, I’ve been trying to get ones to the Harry Potter show for months) but it is super worth it if you can get there. An immersive space experience is a pretty great way to relieve some stress.

Concerts and Plays: I went to see the Black Art of Dance 30th Anniversary show back in February and I still don’t really have words to express how amazing it was. It was everything I didn’t know I needed at that time. This is just one example of the types of dance, music, and theater shows you can see here at Sac State. They are currently showing Hamlet, and there are ongoing concert band, jazz band, opera, and choir performances every semester. Support the arts by supporting yourself with some creative energy.

Sports: I went to a Hornets Football game and even though I am not an avid sports fan, I still had a wonderful time. They have plenty of delicious food truck food and drinks, and there is something energizing about feeling the excitement of a huge crowd like that. There are tons of other sports you can check out too. Download the Hornet Sports app to see all the sporting events and ticketing info.

The WELL: Our gym is incredible. Not only is there a ton of equipment if you like lifting, but they’ve got rock climbing, racquetball, volleyball, basketball, an indoor walking/running track, and FREE fitness classes for students. I have been doing Zumba since last semester and it has been bringing me so much joy. They also have yoga, cycling, mindfulness, Pilates, full body workouts, and more. Check it out, it’s good for your brain.

Peak Adventures: If you love the outdoors, you must check out Peak Adventures by Starbucks in the Union. They put on camping, whitewater rafting, hiking, climbing, biking trips, and more! They go anywhere from San Francisco to Washington. It’s awesome.

Aquatic Center: Another great option for getting outside is the Sac State Aquatic Center. This is off campus, but you can get discounts as a student for kayaking, stand up paddle boarding, windsurfing, and lots more!

KSSU: I can’t forget… KSSU! This is the student run volunteer radio station that you can be a part of. I just became a DJ this semester and getting to do my show is one of the highlights of my week. I had zero experience, but they showed me the ropes and now I have a platform to play music, make a podcast or share whatever my heart desires. This could be you.

I know, school is EXHAUSTING. However, I would like to take a moment to remember that school is not the be all and end all. It’s something we are all choosing to do for our futures, and that’s great! But we can’t forget to take time for ourselves in the present, and Sac State really does provide an amazing array of self-care activities that I hope you will start taking advantage of if you haven’t already.