College Bucket List – Things to Do Before Graduating


group of college students in cap and gowns

Graduating and leaving college is a huge milestone in any person’s life. It’s a time to celebrate all of your accomplishments and look ahead to what the future holds. While there are many things to do after graduating from college, we wanted to create a list of items that should be crossed off before saying goodbye to your campus years.

Why You Should Have a Bucket List

When it comes to life, many people believe that you should live in the moment and make the most of every opportunity. While this is one way to approach life, it’s not the only option. You can also choose to look ahead and plan for what you want to achieve in the future. This is where having a bucket list can come in handy.

A bucket list is a collection of things that you want to do or accomplish before a certain milestone in your life. For example, you may have a bucket list of things to do before you turn 30 or things to do before you die. College is another great time to create a bucket list. It’s a time when you’re exploring new things and discovering more about who you are. Having a college bucket list can help you make the most of your college experience.

50 College Bucket List Ideas

It’s time to make that list of things you want to do before graduating from college. Here are some college bucket list ideas to get you started:

Go on a road trip with your best friends

A road trip with your friends is one of the most popular items on college bucket lists. If you’re looking for something exciting to do with your friends, a road trip is the perfect solution! Whether you’re visiting new cities or hiking through beautiful scenery, you’re sure to create memories that will last a lifetime.

Participate in greek life

Many college students don’t choose to participate in greek life and regret it later. If you want a way to get involved on campus and make some great friends and memories, joining a sorority or fraternity should be on your college bucket list.

Visit a new country

Visting a new country during college is a great way to broaden your horizons and learn about new cultures. If you’re looking for an adventure, there’s no better way to find it than by exploring a new country. It will be an experience that you’ll never forget.

Play a sport

If you’re looking for something a little more adventurous while in college, why not try out for a sport? Joining a sports team is a great way to make new friends and stay active during your college years.

Join a club or organization

Every student should join at least one club during their time in college. Clubs and societies are a great way to meet new people with similar interests, and they can also help you develop important skills for your future career.

Throw a party that all your friends will be talking about for years to come

And of course, no college bucket list would be complete without throwing an epic party! Whether it’s a themed party or just a good old-fashioned bash, make sure to let loose and have some fun before you graduate.

Pull an all-nighter studying

Staying up all night studying is a rite of passage for every college student. While it’s not something you’ll want to do all the time, it’s definitely something you should experience at least once during your college years.

Go on a spontaneous trip

College is a time to be spontaneous and one of the most spontaneous things you can do is to take an unplanned trip. Whether it’s a quick weekend getaway or a trip to another country, just go for it!

Attend an away football game

Whether you’re a sports fan or not, going to an away football game is a must for any college student. There’s something about experiencing a different campus and cheering on your school’s team in a different city or state that makes the experience unique. So make sure to add this one to your college bucket list.

Build your credit

College is a great time to work on building your credit. Whether you’re opening a credit card for the first time or taking out a student loan, be sure to use credit responsibly so that you can establish a good credit history. This will come in handy after graduating when you’re ready to make major purchases like a car or a house.

Take a fun class

Taking a fun class, even if it’s not one that is required for your major, is something every college student should do. It’s a good way to explore new interests and get out of your comfort zone. And who knows, you may even find a new passion that you didn’t know you had.

Live on campus

Living on campus is something every college student should experience. It’s a great way to meet new friends and learn independence. If you can swing it, try living in a dorm your freshman year so that you can really get the full college experience.

Crash a party

It’s the classic college experience – sneaking into a party that you’re not supposed to be at. And while it can definitely be risky, it’s also a lot of fun. You never know who you’ll meet or what kind of shenanigans you’ll get into. So if you haven’t done it already, make sure to add crashing a party to your college bucket list.

Get an internship

An internship is something that should be something every student does while in college. It is a great way to gain experience in the field you are interested in and can help you decide if that is the right career for you. It can also lead to a job after graduation.

Explore your entire campus

Take the time to explore your entire campus. From the moment you get on campus until you leave, there is always a feeling that you’re taking it all in and almost soaking up every possible bit of information available to make sure when you graduate, your time spent at school was not wasted.

Study abroad

Studying in another country is a great opportunity for college students. Sophomore and junior years are the best time to study abroad for a semester. It is a great way to see the world and learn about new cultures. It can also be a great resume builder.

Volunteer

If you have free time in college, volunteering is a great way to give back to the community and help those in need. It can also be a good way to learn new skills and make you feel like you made a difference in someone’s life.

Get a job on campus

Getting a job on campus during college is something that should be on your bucket list. It allows you to get some experience working, make some money, and network with other professionals on campus. Plus, it looks great on your resume.

Visit all 50 states

This is something that not many people can say they have done, but college is the best time to try. Visiting all 50 states is a great bucket list item and will allow you to see every part of the country and learn about different cultures.

Fall in love

Many people experience their first love during college. It’s a time when you’re exploring who you are and finding out what you want in life. If you fall in love during college, it will be a memory that you cherish forever.

Visit every campus bar

This is a bucket list must for many college students that are over the age of 21. You can’t go through college without visiting all of the bars on campus. It’s a great way to meet new people and have some fun.

Go to a campus event

There are always different types of events happening on college campuses. Whether it’s a concert, a sports game, or something else, you should definitely go to at least one during your time in college.

Go to a fraternity party

Even if partying isn’t your thing, you don’t want to look back and regret that you didn’t go to a frat party during college. Frat parties are a great way to meet new people and have some fun.

Get comfortable with public speaking

Public speaking is scary for many people. It can be nerve-wracking to get up in front of a group of people and talk about a topic that you might not be familiar with. College is the best time to get out of your comfort zone and master the art of public speaking.

Learn a new hobby

Whether it’s cooking, photography, gardening or art, learning a new hobby during your time in college is something every student should do. It’s a great way to relax and de-stress from the rigors of college life.

Try all the local food

Going to college in a new city allows you the chance to do things that you wouldn’t be able to do otherwise. If you’re away at college in a city known for its cuisine, make sure you add to your bucket list to try everything.

Visit the campus library

The campus library is a great resource for students, but not something every student takes advantage of. It’s a place where you can study, do research, and find information for your assignments. It’s also a great place to relax and escape.

Plan a memorable spring break

Every college student should plan at least one memorable spring break trip. Whether it’s going to the beach, visiting a new city, or hiking in the mountains, make sure you take advantage of this time off from school.

Make new friends from other parts of the world

One of the best things about college is having the chance to meet new people from all over the world. Meeting people with different backgrounds and interests can be really enriching. So don’t be afraid to put yourself out there and make some new friends.

Get involved in student government

Even if you don’t foresee a future in politics, getting involved in student government while in college is a great way to learn about the inner workings of your school and have a voice in the decisions that are made.

Save money

Saving money in college is difficult for most students, but it’s definitely something that you should try to do. Try to save up for a big trip or a down payment on an apartment. It will be worth it in the long run.

Rent an apartment with friends

Every college student should experience on-campus living as well as living off-campus. Renting an apartment with friends is a great way to learn independence and responsibility. Plus, it’s a lot of fun.

Celebrate a holiday on campus

Spending a holiday with friends on campus should definitely be something you do at least once while you are away at college. It’s a great way to make memories that will last a lifetime. There are usually plenty of events and activities happening on campus during holidays, so you’ll never be bored.

Visit all the campus museums and galleries

You may not be back to campus after you graduate, so make sure you take advantage of all campus has to offer during your time there. Visting all the museums and art galleries on campus is a great way to learn more about the school’s history and culture.

Attend concerts

Attending concerts is a must for everyone before they graduate from college. Even if you’re not a huge fan of the band or the genre, it’s important to go to at least one concert during your time in college. This is so you can know what it feels like to be in a crowd of people who are just as excited about the music as you are.

Conquer a fear

Many students regret not using their time away at college to conquer a fear. Whether it’s something as simple as public speaking or bungee jumping, you’ll feel so accomplished once you’ve faced your fears. It’s a great way to step out of your comfort zone and learn more about yourself.

Go on a mission trip

When it comes to college bucket lists, many students list mission trips on theirs. Mission trips can be a great way to learn about other cultures and help out those who are in need. Plus, it can be a really rewarding experience to help others.

Become a tutor

Tutoring is something every college student should experience. Not only does it help you develop important skills, but it can also give you a chance to help others learn. Tutoring can be a great way to build your resume and networking connections, and it can also be a lot of fun.

Visit all the tourist attractions in your town

Visiting all the attractions in your college town is a great way to get to know the area and learn more about its history. It can also be a lot of fun, and you may even find some hidden gems that you never knew existed.

Be carefree

College is a time to be carefree and enjoy your youth before heading out into the real world. So make sure to take advantage of it while you can. Do things that make you happy but be responsible while doing so.

Find your group of best friends

Everyone should seek out friends in college that will become their best friends. The friends you make in college often will turn out to be your lifelong friends. These are the people who you will share your best and worst moments with, and they will be there for you through it all. They will become your family away from home, and you will cherish their friendship forever.

Write a letter to yourself to read in 10 years

Writing a letter to your future self while you are in college is a great way to document your thoughts, goals, and dreams. It is also a great way to look back on what you have accomplished in the years since college. This can be fun to do with friends, and it is something that you will always be able to look back on.

Visit friends at other colleges

If you have friends that attend other colleges, you should make it a priority to visit them. Visiting other colleges is a great way to see new places, try new things and meet new people.

Contribute to your school’s newspaper

Contributing to your college’s newspaper is a great way to get involved on campus and learn about the inner workings of your school. It is also a great way to build your writing portfolio and gain some experience that you can take into your future career.

Attend a career fair

Every student should have to attend a career fair on their college bucket list. Career fairs allow you the chance to learn about different companies and careers, and they can also help you network with professionals. If you’re not sure what you want to do after graduation, attending a career fair is a great way to explore your options.

Find a mentor

Whether it be a professor or another student, finding someone that can be a mentor to you is a great way to get the most out of your college experience. A mentor can help guide you, offer advice, and be someone that you can look up to.

Learn a new language

One thing on many college students’ bucket list is to learn a new language. Learning a new language can be hard, but it is also incredibly rewarding. It can help you connect with people from other cultures, and it can also help you in your future career.

Get a tattoo

If you’re the adventures type, getting a tattoo is something you can add to your bucket list while in college. A tattoo is a permanent reminder of this time in your life, and it can be a fun way to show your personality. Just make sure that you get one that you won’t regret later on!

Leave behind any regrets

College is the time to explore new interests and experiences and to learn more about yourself. It’s a time to make memories that will last a lifetime. So don’t regret anything – go out and have fun, try new things, and make the most of your college years!

Graduate!

Of course, the most important thing to do on your college bucket list is to graduate! Completing your degree is a major accomplishment, and it’s something you’ll be proud of for the rest of your life. So make sure to enjoy every moment of your college experience and savor the memories you’re making along the way.

In Conclusion

You only have four years of college, so make sure you make the most of it! These are just a few things to add to your college bucket list – there are endless possibilities out there, so get creative and have fun!

Melissa Wilson

Melissa is the Editor-and-Chief at All College Talk and has been involved in the higher education industry for over a decade. She has a passion for writing about topics that will provide insight for current college students as well as prospective students.

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