While we're stuck listening to boring lectures, writing papers, and studying for tests, it seems that college will never end.
Then we get together with our squad for a night out and we never want college to end.
It feels like a constant back and forth; "Yes, I'm ready to start a real life and make some real money, I'm so tired of doing homework" or "No, I can't go out in the real world I'm not ready, can I just live off my parents forever?!"
As I'm finishing up my junior year and I look back on my freshmen year, it seems like it was forever ago. Freshmen year me imagined junior year me as so much more grown up, put together, and professional...and well it necessarily isn't like that.
Yes, I have done quite a bit of growing up over the past couple years, and I've got a few things in my life figured out, but I'm still just as nervous as entering the real world as I was when I was a freshman.
TBH I love college and I wish my parents would let me mess around and spend a few more years here, but that's just not it works.
The idea that I only have one more year to make the most of college is becoming more and more of a looming thought. And by the time it all ends, I'd like to think I'll be pretty set to get out into the world.
So whether you're a freshman, sophomore, junior, or a senior, these are the things I think everyone should at least do once before graduating to make the most of your four (or more) years!
1. Tailgate
Yeah, you can tailgate the rest of your life, but it's not as sweet or reckless as tailgating while in college! Be young, get loud and rowdy, and be the life of the tailgate!
2. Go to a frat party
Greek life is something that is so unique to American colleges, Greek life is literally a phenomenon to the rest of the world. So yeah, frat guys may not be your type of guy, but might as well see what all the hype is about. TBH after you try it once, that will probably enough for a lifetime.
3. Skip a class or two
Take some personal health days, relax, sleep in, catch up on your Netflix show! I swear, there is nothing greater than not having to get up for your 9 a.m. for once!
4. Explore every building on campus
By the time you are an upperclassman, you really only attend classes in a couple of buildings, and it feels as if you live in those buildings. But see what else you campus has to offer, find a new study space! You'll probably end up surprised finding things you never imagined your school had.
5. Join clubs
Universities always have some kind of club fair, and it is always advertised in a really cheesy way, still go to them! Join clubs related to your major and clubs related to your interests! Plus, putting that you're in clubs looks great on a resume.
6. Build relationships with your professors
This will not only be useful while you're taking your class, but it will be beneficial while you take other classes, when you are looking for internships, and finally getting out into the real world. As hard as professors can be on students, they really do want to see us succeed!
7. Go to sports games
Whether your football team is good or bad, whether the basketball team is good or bad or whatever sport, go to a few different sports games. Go and support your school, actually watch and be a part of their games! Again, there is nothing like cheering on your school while you're in school, and you'll never get an opportunity like it again!
8. Road trip
Take a little weekend vacation to the next state over! Go to a national park a couple hours away! Grab your friends and get in a car and hit the road! Once you're out of college and in the real world we won't always have the freedom to just drive off for a few days.
9. Girl's or guy's night in
Spend some quality time together, eat a ton of food, these are the kind of night you'll leave college remembering!
10. Girl's or guy's night out
You may not always remember the nights you went out, but you'll remember having a great time!
11. Pull an all-nighter at the library
Because nothing says living the college life like staying up all night at the library, cramming for a test or project.
