By Anthony McConnell

Trail Editor

Over the past few weeks I have overheard many students complaining about a lack of things to do at Northwest College. Sure NWC is a small college, Powell is a small town and Wyoming is the least populated state. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t anything to do. Unfortunately many students turn to drinking or drugs to pass the time, not realizing the effect these activities can have on the rest of their lives.
As someone who grew up five miles outside of a small town, I am no stranger to boredom. It can be excruciating at times, but a strong imagination almost always kept me and my friends busy. This same imagination has kept me entertained here at NWC. It is an extreme lack of imagination plaguing all the bored students.
We are a generation raised by Nintendo and the boob tube. These devices have sucked the creativity out of our souls – myself included. What gives me the wild imagination that keeps me occupied? It could be the fact I only had five channels growing up or the fact my parents made me go outside and play or it could be my desire to have fun.
Whatever it is, I don’t let myself be held back by a lack of obvious entertainment. Why just the other night a few friends and I were bored so we went to Maverik and Blair’s for Mentos and Diet Coke. We then proceeded to conduct “science” experiments in front of Lewis and Clark.
If you’re looking to a good time or just something to do Powell and NWC offer many options for students. On a typical night you can go to movies, concerts and sporting events. But you’re strapped for cash and need something to do for free.
If that’s the case, student activities director Mike Taylor works his butt off making sure students always have something to do. Taylor and his crew scour the country looking for bands, comedians and other acts to entertain the hoards of bored students at NWC. Just last year the Red Elvises, Megan Mooney, Josh Blue and a very strange hypnotist graced the NWC campus.
If you are a little more thinky, the NWC Writers Series could be just the ticket. With regionally and nationally renowned authors sharing their work and a monthly poetry reading in the Hinckley Library, even the brainiest person is bound to find something to their fancy.
If it is sports you are looking for, NWC is home to many great sports teams covering almost every sport, and what do you know all the games and matches are free to students. If getting out there and playing yourself is more your cup of tea, then maybe intramural sports are for you. These include everything from softball and football to dodgeball. The student activities office also offers semi-monthly dances and karaoke contests.
This is just a small sample of what a bored student can do, and if you don’t like any of my suggestions go read a book the library is full of them.