The idea of a "bucket list" -- referring to what someone should do before he or she "kicks the bucket" -- doesn't just have to apply to older folks. Students, too, can make their own college bucket list to make sure they get in every last thing before tossing their caps at graduation.
1. Confess a crush. Scary? You better believe it. But if you think you'll regret not telling a certain someone how you feel about them before you both part ways after graduating, it's time to take a deep breath and spill the beans. After all, even if it goes just awful, you won't have to really see them again, right? Right!
2. Take pictures of people who have made a difference in your college life. When you think back on your years at school, who mattered most? A certain professor or two? Several friends in particular? Maybe a mentor or administrator? Even if you're convinced that you'll stay in touch with these folks for years, take a picture anyway. You can laugh at how young everyone looked when you're old and gray and reminiscing about all the silly things you did in college.
3. Thank your favorite professor. Chances are one professor in particular stands out for the influence he or she had on you during your time in school. Tell them "thanks" before you leave. You can thank them in person, write an email, or even leave a small thank-you note (and gift?) for them on graduation day.
4. Thank your favorite administrator. Whether you were over-involved in cocurriculars or barely involved at all, you probably interacted with an administrator who made a difference in your life. Say "thanks" before you graduate to help pay it forward a little bit.
5. Try food you never did somewhere on campus. If you've never tried a certain kind of food on campus, gather your pride and dig in before you graduate. You'll get a good experience exposing yourself to something new and -- you never know -- you just might end up liking it. (Green eggs and ham, anyone?)
6. Buy yourself a graduation gift from the bookstore. Sure, your funds are probably even tighter than normal around graduation time. But pinch your pennies and reward yourself with a gift, no matter how small, from the bookstore. A simply key chain, license plate holder, bumper sticker, business card holder, or travel bag will remind you for years to come about one of your greatest accomplishments so far.
7. Thank the people who helped pay your way. If scholarships, your parents, and/or others helped pay your way through school, make sure to let them know how much you appreciate their support. One suggestion: Include a picture of you in your cap and gown on graduation day in a simple but heartfelt thank-you note.
8. Kiss someone you always wanted to. Of course, you shouldn't do it without knowing for sure that it's okay, but don't let what you know would be an awesome smooch slip away without at least exploring the possibility.
9. Write something for the school paper. You may be shy, you may not think of yourself as a good writer, and you may have never written for the paper before. But you'll be graduating soon -- meaning you've succeeded at college and have important advice to share with your peers. Take an hour or two to put something together that passes along your wisdom.
10. Take a picture of yourself and your room. It may seem silly now, but how fun will it be to look back at how you looked and what your room/apartment looked like 5, 10, 20 years from now? Don't let something that you see everyday now slip away with time.
11. Go to a part of campus you've never been before. Even if you're at the smallest of schools, head to a corner of campus you've never been before. You just might get a new perspective of how things look and come to appreciate a side of your school that feels brand new just as every other part of it is feeling old.
12. Go to a sports event you've never been to. Football and basketball games may be all the rage on your campus, but try something new. If it's a gorgeous day, grab some friends and some snacks and go watch a softball or Ultimate Frisbee game. It's a great way to relax and get a new college memory.
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