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Halloween is one of the most enjoyable holidays of the year — especially for college students. To take full advantage of everything Halloween has to offer, it helps to create a bucket list. You can then try to check different things off your list every year you’re at college.

1. Attend a Party

The top item on your list needs to be attending a Halloween party. The best thing about Halloween parties is they give you the chance to show off your creative side with a costume. You could even coordinate costumes with a group of friends — this is ideal if you’re not sure what to wear on your own. Since it’s likely you’ll be invited to several parties, you could also try to attend various over the course of one night for a true college experience.

2. Hit the Bars

An alternative to party hopping is a bar crawl. Bars that hold Halloween-themed activities (such as costume contests and other games) are extra fun, although others may have special Halloween drinks for you to try.

3. Go to a Haunted House

Research what places in your city are holding haunted attractions and ask friends to join you. From haunted houses to hayrides, each attraction will have something different to offer in terms of scares, although most will involve someone jumping out at you when you least expect it. This is a great option if you want a thrill now and something to laugh about later.

4. Find Your Own Haunted Spot

If you consider yourself a ghost hunter, real haunted spots may appeal to you even more. Grab a group of adventurous friends and head to a cemetery or abandoned building. Just make sure your safety comes first and that you’re not violating any trespassing laws.

5. Hold a Movie Night

There’s no need to go out to have a great time on Halloween. In fact, it can be fun to stay in and have a movie night. Choose something scary to watch and stock up on plenty of snacks.

6. Go to the Movie Theatre

Another option is to go to a movie theatre to see the latest scary release. Everyone being terrified together creates a great atmosphere.

7. Start a Pumpkin Carving Competition

Invite your friends to each carve a pumpkin and either decide together or appoint a judge to determine who created the best one. You can use a template for a jack-o-lantern or come up with your own design. This idea is even better if you spend a day before at a pumpkin patch to find the perfect pumpkin. You’ll likely find that local farms have some fun Halloween activities — and not just for kids.

7. Make Some Treats

Halloween is also about candy! If you want something truly delicious, make some candy with friends. You can then give it to trick-or-treaters, take it along to a party, or eat it yourself at your movie night.

8. Have a Themed Potluck

Take your cooking a step further by hosting a potluck. Each of your friends can bring whatever they like, but it’s best of all if dishes take ghoulish forms or are Halloween themed in some other way — maybe you could use that pumpkin from your jack-o-lantern for a fun, seasonal recipe.

If you want to invite friends over to your place for Halloween, you need a larger space than what you gain with on-campus student housing. Barrie students can rent a room in a spacious apartment at Arcadian Students, just 10 minutes away from campus. Secure your spot now before it’s too late.