As with any University, Clemson University has a lot of traditions. One you may not hear about as often as its contents to complete; The Bucket List.
A lot of the bucket lists you might find for Clemson University were created before a lot of changes to the grounds and policies were made; today not many students would be able to check off every item on those lists. I have decided to DO as much as I can possibly can manage in the time I have at Clemson, while trying to tick off some of those items from other bucket lists.
As I began to write this article I didn't realize how much I have experienced already here at Clemson; I actually had to cut a lot of things out because this article was getting so long!
There is no shortage of things to get involved with on campus and off campus at Clemson University. You'll often come across pop-up booths and mobile displays inside RV's, anywhere on campus, and traffic jams of stations on Library Bridge.
There is an event at the beginning of Fall semester called the Tiger Prowl where most of the organizations on campus will have booths where they hold information sessions.
You can also check the Clemson Student Organization page TigerQuest to find a list of groups and programs to check out.
A lot of students, when they see their syllabi and course load, will question the decision to join an organization or wonder how it will all affect their GPA by "losing" study time. Here is a study performed by Purdue University about exactly that subject.
"This study examined the grade point average (GPA) of undergraduate students enrolled at Purdue University during the fall 2009 semester to determine if there is a relationship between student involvement and GPA. The students were divided into one of three groups: general students, student organization members, and student organization officers. An average GPA was calculated for each group and used in a two-sample t-test for significance. The results indicate a relationship between involvement and GPA with student organization officers earning a significantly higher GPA then regular members of the organizations, and student organization members earning a significantly higher GPA than the general student population."
The how? Roughly, if you are involved in extracurricular activities you give your brain a break from study, study, study. In addition, since you are doing something other than studying 24/7, you learn time management skills. With the brain break, and probably light physical activity involved, your body is better able to channel productive energy into your study time.
Clemson professor finds positive effects from bringing physical activity to the desk: "June J. Pilcher, alumni distinguished professor in the Clemson University department of psychology, studied the cognitive effects of physical activity workstations and traditional desks on Clemson student volunteers. The results of the study, published in Frontiers in Psychology, suggest the inclusion of light physical activity during work or study has positive effects without detracting from work or study effectiveness."
If you are a parent of young children like me, a lot of these student organizations are kid-friendly, so bring them along. Go, take a study break and see what's happening, your brain and GPA will thank you for it!
The easiest way to enrich your life at Clemson is to raise your eyes just a little from your books and take in the scenery, something in your line-of-sight will get your attention, and trust me, you won't regret it!
Here are just a few things that I've checked off my Clemson University Bucket List:
The Blood Bowl
Hike Table Rock
Bagpipes outside ASC
The night song of the Reflection Pond
Get Painted at the Fall Festival
Random Acts of Napping
Have a class at the Amphitheater
Hang in a hammock at the Big Tree
Concerts at the Amphitheater
Habitat for Humanity Homecoming Build
Attend a class taught by "Shaggy"
Be an Ambassador
Class canceled for a snow day
Cocky's Funeral
The Palmetto Bowl
Tandem Pottys in Tillman
Get Involved - Witness Empowerment
Support Fundraisers for campus organizations
Witness strange happenings
Show up for class and write your full name on a piece of paper for a free 100% quiz grade
Tigerama
Home Football Game
Howard Rock
Homecoming
First Friday
Olin Hall, women's restroom creeper!
Water Sports on Lever Beach
Have a great story about how you literally ran into the QB
The Rally Cats
Lots of Tiger Swag
The Secret Book
Movember
The Legendary Clemson Squirrels
Gorgeous Views
Iconic Tillman at Night
Get your class ring
And last, but not least;
Graduate!
And FOOTBALL!
ACC Champions!
There are still a lot of things I want to experience before I graduate from Clemson. How much have you checked off of your Bucket List?
