Prom is not only a once and a lifetime experience but an excuse to go have a great time with friends and forget about all your homework due on Monday. But for the scattered few of us who either tried throwing plans together too late or simply did not want to go, there’s still a list of things that can be just as fun as dancing the night away.

The best thing to do is grab a group of friends that opted out of prom and go have your own fun. Bowling and rollerblading can be a great pastime especially with friends, plus it’s not nearly as expensive as a prom ticket. If you’re feeling spontaneous or adventurous, a hike in Boulder or a day trip to winter park could be a great way to still have a great weekend without the dress or heels. If you’re more of an independent person, try giving yourself a spa day to de-stress from school. Whether you go out on the town or stay at home and binge watch that new Netflix series that’s been calling your name, as long as you’re with the people your closest to you can have a blast doing just about anything.

If you’re truly bummed about not going to prom or maybe you have a dress you can’t return, try getting dolled up and going out to dinner as though you were going, take a few photos to commemorate the moment. If you still want some of the prom experience, after prom is a great opportunity for those who don’t attend the actual dance but want to see their friends and stay up late into the night.

At the end of the day, prom is just one day of your life, and whether you choose to go or not, it won’t be as life-altering as all the cheesy movies say it will be. No matter what you end up choosing, you can have an amazing night that you’ll remember forever.