This year, the Elon Alumni Association compiled and distributed a “bucket list” of items for students to consider completing before graduation. The list includes Elon traditions such as attending College Coffee, the December luminaries and seasonal sporting events. But the list encourages students to get off campus, too, whether by studying abroad or completing an internship.

“The Bucket List is a good place to start thinking of what you wish to accomplish while an Elon student,” said Jozi Snowberger, faculty advisor of the Student Alumni Association. “I hope that Elon students enjoy their time as an Elon student to the fullest, and I believe the bucket list is a great tool for the students to use to see what Elon has to offer.”

The items on the list are a mix of Elon traditions and activities judged worthwhile by the Student Alumni Council, according to Snowberger, who completed 12 of 14 items on the list while she was at Elon.

Some students believe the items on the list enhance their experience at Elon and offer chances outside of class to enrich the Elon experience.

“Each item on this list, I think, really does enhance the time a student spends at Elon,” said senior Andrew Kidd. “I'm not just saying that because it's the kind of thing that you would see on an Elon University brochure. Every extracurricular activity that I have gone out of the way to participate in has enriched my college life in ways that just attending classes would never be able to do.”

Kidd has completed seven of the 14 items on the list, but the complete list includes:

  • Join an organization
  • Study abroad
  • Volunteer your time
  • Participate in CELEBRATE! Week
  • Do an internship or two
  • Cheer on Phoenix athletics
  • Hang out with alumni at homecoming
  • Seek a faculty or staff mentor
  • Enjoy the December luminaries
  • Learn the fight song
  • Visit every building on campus
  • See a performing arts event
  • Participate in the Turkey Trot
  • Mingle at College Coffee
 

Junior Erika West, who has completed 10 of the 14 items on the list, said her study abroad experience in Costa Rica has been the most meaningful.

“Studying abroad made me appreciate Elon much more,” said West, an education major. “After I witnessed the difference in the education systems, I realized a lot of pros and cons to our system here. It’ll be beneficial to me as a future educator.”

The list isn’t final, though.

“We encourage first-year students to expand the list and make their own,” Snowberger said.