Some students quickly forget that college is about education when students pull out alcohol and the Cupid Shuffle. Nearly every weekend, especially around the holidays, students flock to parties at fraternity houses or rented venues.

People often imagine these parties thanks to exaggerated movie scenes, such as the toga-laden fraternity brothers of “Animal House or the sorority girls of “The Sex Lives of College Girls.” These aspects often glamorize the college experience and make these parties seem far more exciting than they truthfully are.

“My experience at parties isn’t like what I see in the movies.” Abigal Fazzio, a sophomore pre-pharmacy major, said, “In the movies, the girls interact with boys, but I don’t. The bathrooms are just as gross as they are in the movies.”

Despite the cinematic portrayal of partygoers proudly drinking liquor for everyone to see, most students drinking at these are underage and conceal their alcohol in opaque bottles.

The bustling dance floors and neon lights seen in college party movies are less common than you might think. Most of the dancing at these events consists of line dances to songs such as Cupid Shuffle, Cha Cha Slide and other popular tracks—without the accompanying flashy rainbow lights.

This more authentic view challenges Hollywood’s portrayal of college parties, showing a less polished but equally exciting side of the experience.

It raises the question: Why do students flock to parties if the reality is underwhelming? Ruthie Roth, a sophomore psychology major, offers an answer.

“I attend parties because it’s a great environment to hang out with my friends and have fun,” Roth said. “The best part is that you never really know what to expect.”

Despite the filthy bathrooms and a narrow music selection, the party’s unpredictability—where anything can happen—makes it worth attending. Take the mechanical bull rides, a recent addition to frat parties, for example. They create lasting memories for many students, including Ruthie, who now eagerly anticipates more.