As spring semester comes around, it is important to remember that college is unique in that it is only enjoyed once in a lifetime. Popular movies such as “Acceptance” and “Animal House” exaggerate the standard that college is a time where students are supposed to be young, wild and crazy before heading off into the “real world.”
There are plenty of Elon traditions that students swear must be done before graduation. Stealing a brick from one of the many pathways on campus is a common one almost anyone can do, but other traditions such as jumping in the fountains may require the courage, or protection, of being an senior about to graduate. Follow these Elon University students by creating your personal college bucket list, at your own risk.
Sophomore Bailey Nugent is on her way to completing her goal of going to at least one game of each Elon athletic team by attending her first volleyball and basketball games last semester. Nugent also hopes to complete a road trip with friends during one of her breaks, saying that it is the journey and not the destination that truly matters. Or, sign up for one of Elon Volunteer’s Alternative Breaks and discover a new city, or even country, by working with children or helping the homeless with fellow Elon students.
Since over 70% of Elon students study abroad at some point during their college career, it is no surprise that students look for ways to break out of the “Elon Bubble” here on campus, too. For her bucket list, freshman Tara Wirth says, “I want to meet three students from different countries.” The Phoenix Pal Program pairs Elon students with newly admitted international students, so students can learn about other countries and make a friend too.
Senior Lauren Hoerr is still working on crossing things off of her bucket list before May. She wants to go to all of the frozen yogurt shops and restaurants around Elon, and climb to the top of as many balconies on campus that she can.
Along with Elon students, college kids all over the country strive to create a successful bucket list. USA Today publishes an annual list of college bucket list ideas that encourages the young, wild and free image of college life. Journalist Allie Ditkowich writes, “Paint the statue/rock/wall that everyone paints. On some campuses it’s a rock, on some it’s a tree- no matter what the tradition, there’s numerous campuses that allow different organizations to make their mark by painting a particular item on campus.” Ditkowich also suggests literally reaching for the sky by taking advantage of the fact that students are 18 or older in college and go skydiving with a friend.
College truly is a once in a lifetime experience. Whatever your bucket list entails, get out there and discover who you are by getting involved. Whatever you choose to do with your time in college, make it count.