It’s important to focus on your studies when you’re in college, but college should be fun, too.  If you’ve ever dreamt of becoming a rock star, college is the perfect opportunity to chase that dream.

For starters, you don’t have to worry about playing too loud and angering your parents.  There are plenty of opportunities to play live: parties, local bars, philanthropy events and your school’s club room, just to name a few.

Finding band mates in college is fairly easy as well.  Take a walk around your dorm and you’ll most likely find a few people with instruments in their room.  You could also make friends with some music majors or put up flyers around campus.

If you need a little inspiration, read on to see a list of 5 of my favorite bands that formed while in college.

1.      Passion Pit

You’ll be hard pressed to find a better band to lift your spirits and get you in a party mood than Passion Pit.

2.      R.E.M.

They got their start at the University of Georgia, which is quite possibly the #1 school to form a band in the country.  I was recently in Athens and the music scene is certainly booming.

3.      Hootie and the Blowfish

I grew up listening to them, and they were the first band I ever saw live.

4.      OAR

As a Penn State fan, it’s tough for me to include a band that formed at Ohio State, but they’re just too catchy.

5.      Dream Theater

A lot of people don’t seem to know who Dream Theater is, and that’s a shame.  Even if you don’t like their music, you have to appreciate this band for the incredible talent of each member.  Perhaps one of the most talented bands of all time, sometimes I think their guitarist makes even Jimi Hendrix look like a beginner.

There are plenty of other famous bands that got their start in college.  Tell us which bands are on your list.