College is like a roller coaster. There are twists and turns, highs and lows, parts we love and parts we hate.

The difference is that, when the ride on the roller coaster ends, we can hop back on right after and do it all again. College isn’t exactly like that. Even if we want to keep pursuing education, we can never get back to the exact same semester.

We need to truly enjoy this part of the ride and take advantage of all that we can while we’re on board. So, here is your college bucket list you should do before you graduate.

— Compiled by Kaitlyn Moore, graphics by Roxana Santillan and Julie Cordova

Throw away your compass
Going off on a mini-adventure around campus without a destination or goal is one of the easiest things to do in college.

When we are headed to classes, rushing to meet professors, or leaving campus for the day, we normally don’t have time to take in our surroundings.

Exploring campus lets you discover new spots or nooks you’d never noticed. Also, you never know whom you’ll run into or whom you might meet.

So, clear a spot in your schedule, get a drink from the bookstore and go see the parts of Eastfield you never knew existed. I’m positive you’ll find something intriguing.

Find Hidden Gems
Thrift shopping is grand because the stuff you find is cheap and generally both quirky and entertaining.

An old CD of pirates singing shanties? You bet. A bacon tuxedo? Absolutely. A chair with cat faces on it? You can find beneficial things that you will use, or you can find useless but entertaining things.

The possibilities for thrift shopping are truly endless. It’s something every college kid should do at least once.

Develop a palate beyond ramen noodles
Learning to cook something besides ramen and scrambled eggs is a must for college students.

This doesn’t mean you have to take a cooking class or peruse Pinterest boards for hours to find simple, cheap recipes — though you certainly can do that if you like.

A quick search on Google can pull up tons of great recipes, or you can try YouTube if you fancy watching someone do it first.

Following these simple steps and building up a repertoire of delicious recipes will serve you well while you’re in school and long after you graduate.

Do more than go to class and go home
Yes, you’ve probably heard it a thousand times, but I’m going to remind you once more: getting involved in clubs, campus organizations and the school newspaper (wink wink) is one of the best ways to enrich your experience while in school.

The best part of doing this is that you are guaranteed to meet people who have similar focuses and interests.

This is where you build bonds and friendships that can survive past college, and it is also a great way to network with people going into the same field as you are.

Don’t be a hermit
Even some of the most reclusive creatures find themselves longing for comradery and companionship from time to time. The college student is no different.

Try to talk to people that are outside of your comfort zone and learn from them. If you’re a young biology major, I guarantee there are things you can learn from an older student majoring in history. Or maybe you’re still in high school doing dual credit and don’t even know what you want to do with your life yet.

College is a unique environment filled with many kinds of people who want to do countless things with their lives. It is an excellent place to meet people you might never encounter or befriend out in the world.

So, go have riveting conversations with people that are and aren’t like you. Explore the wonderful opportunity that you have in being a member of this vibrant, petri dish community.

 
https://eastfieldnews.com/2019/01/28/new-years-resolution-mindfulness-over-matter/