25 Things to Do Before Finishing College

I’ve loved the college experience over the last three years. But this is my last year.

It really hit me this last week especially, as September is coming to a close and I have no idea where it went. Fourth year has been my favourite year so far, but it definitely hasn’t been easy.

I’ve been thinking a lot about my future recently (like every senior ever) and how much of a gift the college experience is. I don’t have a 9-5 job (even though I study for about 60 hours a week), so I have a lot of flexibility. I don’t have kids to take care of, and I have a whole world of academic opportunity open to me.

After I had been thinking about all of this, I found a list I had written in my first month of school here in Ottawa–my college bucket list. It was so interesting reading through it and figuring out which I have and haven’t done as of now, and I thought it was actually quite a good list! 

Writing a college bucket list is such a great way to make some wonderful memories while you’re at school! This is the time that you’re growing into who you’re going to be–this is the time to do something crazy!

So get out there! Make your college bucket list! Don’t know where to start? Here’s my list!

1. Study a Foreign Language

I mean seriously, there are so many resources available to you right now that you’ll never have again! I studied Spanish my whole first year of school, but wasn’t able to keep going

Status: Kind of completed? I studied Spanish for a year, and French for a semester, but didn’t truly utilize these opportunities. I probably would have if they were teaching ASL, but I really should be using the French resources more.

2. Learn how to cook at least one impressive meal

Status: DONE, BABY. I can cook a leg of lamb like it’s no one’s business. Add some roasted veggies and a great salad and BOOM! Hostess of the year. (Never mind that my house will look like a disaster after the cooking part.)

3. Find your style, and love it!

Status: Getting there! I’m really getting into the capsule wardrobe thing, so when I figure that out I’ll have completed it!

4. Take an impromptu, throw-all-cares-away trip with your friends

Status: Done! And I’m proud of myself for this one! Connor and I went up to BC to visit his family last summer with only 12 hours thought put into it, and it was the best decision ever. It was such a blessing to get to know his family before we got married less than a year later!

5. Take a course in something completely unrelated to your major

Status: Done! For me, this was Irish studies and language. Yep. I learned how to speak Irish.

Honestly just being able to take a course for the sake of learning the material in the course is so freeing. Not worrying about grades, enjoying the lectures, and just doing the readings because you enjoy it, not because you’re worried about the midterm. I highly recommend finding at least one bird course that you love.

6. Join a club at your school

Status: DONE! I joined a campus Christian fellowship group my first week at school and it was the best decision I made all university. I would not have met half of my friends without it, and wouldn’t have met Connor!

I did this with not just IVCF, too. I got involved with a girl’s weightlifting group last semester and had a great time. Find something completely out of your normal comfort zone and try it!

7. Do that one crazy thing you’ve always wanted to do

Learn how to baton twirl if that’s your thing!

Status: …Does marriage count?

8. Spend some time in nature.

It’s easy to never leave the city, but make sure to get outdoors. This is something I have failed at in my university career, and I regret it! I’m going to be making more of an effort to be getting outdoors for more than just walking to and from school!

Status: Failed.. So far!

9. Find a quirky little coffee shop and make it your second home

Status: Oh yeah, baby. I got this one down. This is one of the first things that made me feel like this new city was my home.

10. Fall madly in love

Status: Well, I’m married, so I definitely hope this one is done! ;)

11. Learn to play an instrument

Status: Not really. I got better at guitar, but I didn’t learn anything new.

12. Live a minimalistic lifestyle.

Status: Getting there! I’m really proud of myself for this one!

College is the perfect opportunity for living minimally. You have no money, no stuff, and very little space. Let’s be honest–it’s kind of forced on us! But that’s such a great way to get used to living that way before you have the chance to start accumulating clutter!

13. Get in shape–school comes with a free gym! Only time in your life!

Status: In progress! I’m personally very proud of myself for this one. I’ve fallen in love with lifting, and I don’t know what I’m going to do when I don’t have the school gym anymore! I’ve made so many great gym friends!

14. Take up a strange hobby.

I’m serious about that baton-twirling thing. I started Irish dancing, and I love it! (He actually proposed to me at one of the big Irish dances! I know, adorable.) Now, Connor and I are starting swing dance together and having a great time doing that!

Status: Done!

15. Stand up for something.

College kids are always petitioning for something–so join a cause you love!

Status: Proud to say done!

16. Find your soul-friend.

That person who just gets you. Think Meredith and Christina in Grey’s Anatomy. Find your person.

Status: Done, done, done! I moved in with one that I already knew, found one in another girl I moved in with, and obviously Connor. Hillary, Natasha, and Connor: you guys are wonderful. (Of course, there’s also my sister, but I didn’t find her in university, so she doesn’t count.)

17. Throw your all into a church.

Lead the Sr High group, or help on the praise team! Just do something, create a grown-up Christian community.

Status: Done, but I’m not doing a good job with it this year, to be honest. I start helping out again tonight, though, and I’m excited!

18. Begin habits that will last you forever

Status: Done. Unfortunately, those habits are mainly procrastination based, so I kind of hope they don’t stick around.

19. Start an unhealthy coffee addiction.

It’s the mark of a true student.

Status: Done.

20. Get a random, ugly piece of furniture from a garage sale and fall in love with it.

You’re a student, so you can’t afford real furniture. We’re all in the same boat–don’t fight it. Embrace it.

Status: Done. Kind of. We got an unwanted chair from a friend, and although it did not last long, we definitely enjoyed it while it was here. It was adorable, like the chair the old guy from Up was always sitting in.

21. Learn how to truly network

Talk to your professors, get to know your classmates. Everyone you meet is a potential opportunity to make a helpful connection.

Status: Done. I don’t think that ENTJs are capable of not networking…

22. Go grocery shopping with $20 cash because you honestly cannot afford any more.

Status: Lol done.

23. Get your first real job

Maybe this one should be after graduation, but I kind of figure that a lot of people start with co-ops so this belongs here.

Status: I actually did this before college, so done?

24. Become deeply passionate about your program, so much so that you can’t talk about anything else.

Status: Heck yeah. Bring up anything in the DSM or anything about autism at all and I will gladly talk your ear off for 2 hours straight. I’ve had to learn how to restrain myself.

Studying a major that you love is so important, and finding the right one is so integral for your experience in college! I really recommend asking yourself these questions to make sure you’re in the right major!

25. Take a moment to reflect on college life.

Look back and see how what has happened and where you’re going is making you into the person God intended you to be. This is a time of transition and that can be scary–but it should also be celebrated.

Status: Too busy to think about anything but school right now. Ask me at the end of April. :)

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So there you have it! That’s my bucket list for my years at school, and I’m really looking forward to seeing how it all ends up turning out. The truth is, with how much unknown there is after college, I want to make sure that I take full advantage of the college experience while I can. There are so many exciting new life stages that are coming my way–first job, becoming a mom (eventually), getting my first puppy… but this is the stage I’m in now, and it’s one I love.

For you who graduated, what were some of your favourite parts of school? People who are only starting now, what are you most looking forward to?