As cliché as it sounds, it feels like just yesterday when I moved into my freshman dorm room in Pritchard Hall. I guess I blinked, because here I am, packing up my things to head back to Blacksburg for my junior year.
The last two years went by way too fast for comfort. Suddenly, I'm all too aware of the panic and anxiety I feel about the lack of time I have left at Virginia Tech, and I know I'm not alone!
In an effort to maximize the remaining time I have at Tech, I’ve complied a bucket list of things I still need to do before graduation, and things I encourage you to try too.
1. Order
the lobster from West End. I’m not talking about ordering it to use up
extra meal plan money at the end of a semester or for a special occasion. I’m
talking about ordering it on a random weeknight. You could eat it at West End on a normal plate using real silverware, but why not take it to-go and eat it out of a styrofoam container at home in
your PJs? I can say with the utmost certainty that the four years
you're in college are the only time when it’s socially acceptable, and maybe
even possible, to dine in such a manner. Bon appétit!
2. Watch
the sun rise in Lane Stadium. Whether you're starting a new day or ending a long, fun night out, there's no better place in Blacksburg to watch the sun rise than from the top of the west stands.
3. Tube
down the New River. I spent a few weeks in Blacksburg over the summer and quickly realized how living in a small town provides the most quintessential summer experiences. There are live concerts on the Henderson Lawn every week, tons of places to hike and a small farmers' market to get fresh fruits, veggies and flowers.
4. “Reach
for excellence” in the tunnel of Lane Stadium. Do it "for those who have passed" and "for those to come." Although a great game day tradition, it's part of being a Hokie that shouldn't be reserved just for football players or as something that you do before walking onto Worshom Field for your commencement ceremony. It's a tradition that a lot of iconic Hokies, and even First Lady Michelle Obama, have checked off their bucket list. Although non-Virginia Tech students or fans might not understand, it's special and something every student should take the time to do.
5. Take
a road trip to an away game with friends. There's something about being surrounded by 60,000 Hokie fans in Lane Stadium on game day that really brings out your team pride, but being in the fan minority group at an away game would amplify that Hokie spirit even more. As a loyal supporter of Virginia Tech athletics, I vow to make it to at least one away game with a carload of friends before my time as a student is over. We'll binge on junk food on the way to and from the game, jam out to an awesome playlist to get us hyped, and show our Hokie pride anywhere and everywhere we stop along the way.
6. Pull
an all-nighter at the library or Math Empo. This is definitely not the most
exciting event in the world, but once again, you only have four short years
when you can pull an all-nighter by choice, not because of obligation. Snag a big table in the library or a pod at the Empo with some friends and make the best out of what could, otherwise, be a painful experience. Benny’s will deliver so, if you don't already have it, put their number in your phone now: 540-443-3949.
7. Take
a wild ‘n crazy spring break trip. Grab your friends -- maybe even your
passport -- and just go! Once everyone graduates, it will be hard to drop real world obligations for a week in paradise. Plus, chances are, any
disposable income you might have while in college will have to go towards paying off
student loans or other adult-like things that I'd like to ignore for now while I blissfully exist in the wonderful little bubble that being in college creates. So gather up your tightest group of friends and
get going while the getting’s good.
8. Take
a picture with the Hokie Bird. Simple enough. Maybe you'll get lucky and bump into the Hokie Bird randomly, or maybe you'll have to stalk it at a soccer game! However you do it, get the picture, blast it on Instagram, make it your profile picture and check it off the list.
9. Participate
in the annual civilians v. cadets snowball fight. Now, I'll be honest. Normally, I enjoy the snow much more when I can watch it falling from my window, curled up in comfy clothes, drinking hot drinks. But the civilians v. cadets snowball fight is one of Virginia Tech's oldest traditions in which hundreds of students show up, prepared for battle, during the first good snow of the year. It's one of the traditions you hear Hokie ambassadors telling prospective students and their families about when they tour campus for the first time. In the name of tradition, I'm willing to participate -- at least once.
10. Pick up another major, a minor, a cognate. Consider anything that will allow you to take a victory lap to extend your time at Virginia Tech.
As I embark on my mission to compete this short list over the next two years, I promise to keep readers updated on all my experiences.
