Sonoma State University is filled with fun activities to do, even on the weekends. On Feb. 8, Saturday DIY took place on campus from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Vineyard room by the Zinfandel residential community. This activity was free to all students and gave Seawolves the chance to put their artistic abilities to use. Attendees painted a succulent pot that they could take home to decorate their dorms with. 

“Saturday DIY’s consist of a creative-based activity chosen by the RA facilitators. These DIYs are simple, and can be done in under an hour. All supplies are provided and we let students creativity take them where it will,” said the Associated  Students programming assistant, Will Montgomery. “These activities are geared towards our residential community students as community building activities and things to do on campus during the weekend to connect them with the campus and fellow students. However, we are always open to our non-residential students joining in on the fun.”

Each week, a different activity is chosen and geared towards a wide variety of students. RA’s try to create events suitable for everyone to express and enjoy their artistic capabilities. They host succulent pot painting, karaoke nights, trivia games, and much more. 

“The activity ranges very much. Typically there are very few repeats in a semester. Some of the ones we have done and plan to do are: vase decorating & bouquet arranging, crayon melt art, succulents, recycled T-shirts, decorated rock photo holders, canvas painting, orbeez stress balls, frame decorating, flower planting, succulent planting, watercolor painting, and so much more,” said Montgomery.

These events are always held in different locations, depending on the activity happening that evening. 

“This Saturday we had a chance to paint succulents, after we created a poll for residents to take and they all voted that this would be a fun activity to have on a Saturday night,” said Residential Advisor, Maddy Lox. “This is an inclusive outlet for students that don’t party on weekends, because not all of them like to. There are many students that do not have the chance to go home and this is a fun way for them to get involved with other students in the community.”

After a week filled with class, school work, and daily chores, students have the chance to participate in engaging activities on the weekends within the community. 

“Painting my succulent pot was so much fun. I come to Saturday DIY often and it gives me something fun to do on a saturday night,” said third year student, Haley Theaker. 

Associated Students, alongside the RA’s, promote these weekly events by hanging flyers around campus, posting on social media, and talking about it within the community. 

“We want to build our Noma Nation community, connect residents and students to the campus along with each other, have creative outlets at the end of the school week, and provide activities during the weekend,” said Montgomery. “RA’s meet with a member of our team, and then decide and plan out the craft. Our team then prepares all the materials for the event. During the event the RA’s are the facilitators–meaning they lead the event for all the participating students.” By allowing the RA’s to lead the DIY activity, they are given the opportunity to engage with and assist the students in the community, leading to stronger connections between housing staff and students.

Check out their upcoming events on Seawolf Living, or by contacting any Residential Assistant and asking the locations and times of the Saturday DIY events throughout the semester.