Fall is almost here, and colleges across the U.S. are back in session. Whether you’re an incoming freshman, a graduate student or fall somewhere in between, finding fun ways to represent your college lets you show off your school spirit and have a blast while doing it. Unfortunately, college apparel isn’t always the most stylish. And chances are, you already have plenty of t-shirts and hoodies emblazoned with your school’s logo.
So, what do you do when you want to rep your college in unique ways that are more “you?” There are lots of options! Whether you fill your room with the delightful aromas of college town candles, get involved with clubs and associations or stick with something more traditional, like rocking your school colors at the gym, it’s up to you to choose what works best for you. Not sure where to start? Keep reading to discover a few fun ways to rep your college!
1. Show Your Spirit with Candles
Candles are perfect for filling your apartment with scents that remind you of your school. College Town candles, for example, are loaded with aromas associated with major college cities like Columbus, Ohio, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Baton Rouge, Louisiana and more. With one whiff, you’ll enjoy everything from the scent of stadium brick at The Shoe to magnolia blossoms in the heart of Cajun country.
Not attending school in a big city with its own candle? No problem! State candles are a great alternative. From Alabama to Wyoming, there is a candle to represent every state on the map. Show your love for Fayetteville State University with a North Carolina candle, or snag a Floria candle to showcase your Gator pride.
If you live in a dorm that doesn’t allow candles, don’t despair! Reed diffusers are an excellent alternative, and they’re available in many of the same scents as candles. You could even use car fresheners to infuse your closet or vehicle with incredible fragrances.
2. Get Involved
Repping your college isn’t just about showing off your school’s colors or logo. It’s also about being a member of the community and showcasing your school in a positive light. And one of the best ways to do that is by getting involved with organizations and clubs on campus. In doing so, you’ll gain plenty of chances to rep your college in both fun and meaningful ways.
Join clubs that match your interests, and use your participation as a way of sharing all the cool things your school has to offer. Or consider joining a school-based community service organization. When you choose one that focuses on improving campus life or one that engages in civic activities and strives to solve big problems like deforestation and inequality, it will give you an opportunity to be a contributing member of your college community and make a difference in the lives of others.
3. Attend School Events
Whether it’s a basketball game, the drama club’s latest production or even something simple like a dorm movie night, attending events shows your school spirit and gives you a chance to wear all the college gear you probably have hanging in your closet. Repping your college is all about enjoying and showcasing all the best things about it. Even if you aren’t particularly interested in sports or tend to be more of a homebody, participating in events shows that you are engaged with your college community. Plus, simply showing up could be enough to boost school spirit. At the very least, you’ll be showing your classmates that you care about what they’re doing.
Promoting school events is an option too. Get in touch with team, group and organization leaders to see if you can lend a hand by selling tickets, making posters or raising money. You might be surprised at just how many ways you can represent your school in a positive light by participating in and attending events.
4. Show Your Love Online
College spirit doesn’t exist in the “real” world. You can take your love for your school online too! Chances are, you probably already have at least one relatively active social media account. Why not use it as a platform for repping your school? You don’t even have to be an influencer with a huge following to make an impact.
Like and comment on your college’s social media posts and share them on your profile. Send relevant posts directly to friends and family members who may find them useful. You can even take things up a notch by using images and hashtags to show your school spirit.
5. Rep Your School Off-Campus
Attend events in your community and use them as an opportunity to rep your college. You can do something simple, like wearing your favorite school gear, or you could take it to the next level by setting up a booth or distributing literature about your college. Just be sure to get permission from the school if you plan to attempt one of the latter options.
Closing Thoughts
There’s no right or wrong way to rep your college. As long as you’re showcasing your school in a positive light, feel free to show your love and support in whatever way works best for you. Whether that means trying one of the suggestions above or coming up with your own unique techniques, just remember to have fun with it. College life is about so much more than obtaining an education. It’s also about becoming a part of a community, having new experiences and learning a bit more about yourself along the way.
