Your university years go by faster than you expect, and it’s easy to miss out if you’re not intentional. This quick guide gives first-years a simple bucket list to help you make meaningful memories, build connections, and truly make the most of your time before graduation.
When I was in my first year of uni, I constantly heard others tell me that these three years were going to pass by in a flash. As a bright-eyed first year, I thought it was too soon to be saying that, especially since I’d just started. But as cliché as it sounds, all those third years were on to something. Time flies quickly, and if you just let it pass you by, you’ll miss the opportunity to make the most of your time in university. University is the place where you make great memories, meet amazing people, network, and start your career journey. If I could go back in time, I would create a bucket list of things I’d like to do or achieve before graduation. But since I don’t have superpowers, this university bucket list is for first years who don’t want to make the mistake of letting time fly past.
Top Must-Do Activities
Join a Club: Clubs are your gateway to meeting new people and making friends, and the peak of student experiences. While joining a club that’s aligned with your major or your hobbies is a great move, joining a club involved in something you’ve never done before is a good way to get out of your comfort zone. Join a club as a complete beginner, such as a sports or crafts club. I joined the pottery class in my first year, even though I’d never done pottery before. It was humbling, for sure, but it was a great way for me to de-stress and take my mind off classes.
Attend a Campus Event: After the initial excitement of being on campus wears off, any event after the first two months of the year isn’t as interesting anymore. However, you’d be surprised to find that campus events open you to a myriad of experiences. Not to be a LinkedIn bro, but some of these events are useful for networking as well. I used to skip a lot of events hosted by my residential college because, at the time, I thought it’d be a waste of my time and, quite frankly, I could focus on other things. But as a result, I missed out on community, and I regretted not going to these events earlier. Attend at least one each month, because having community when you’re so far away from home is the best gift you can give yourself.
Participate in University Tournaments: Now, participating can seem like a huge deal if you like staying in the background, but, as I said about attending campus events, you should participate at least once. You’d be surprised by how fun it is, especially behind the behind-the-scenes. Bringing a performance to life, for example, after spending nights together building and crafting it with others, is honestly such an amazing thing to experience. You don’t even have to be at the forefront if you don’t want to, because contributing to something is already enough. I can’t recommend doing this enough. The pride you feel when others cheer you on and thank you for your work is worth stepping out of your comfort zone.
Academic and Personal Milestones
Attend a Round-Table Talk: I don’t really hear other students talk about this, but I think it’s really important to attend one. I know we, as students, love to vent about certain classes or professors; that said, I believe it’s better to vent in a space where change can be brought about. Not only that, but you get to speak one-on-one with faculty members and get to know them better. These happen every year, so even if you miss it the first year, there’s always next year to attend to make improvements for your major, not only for you but for the students behind you.
Go to Professor’s Office Hours: In every article or YouTube video I watched on how to succeed in university, this was the top piece of advice. I, in typical me fashion, usually brushed it off because what could I possibly need office hours for? If I didn’t understand the material, I just researched it myself or asked the TA. But if you’re gonna use office hours for one thing, use them before exam season. In the moment, it’s easy to say you don’t have any questions about the exam, but it’s important that you write down questions or clarifications you have about the exam so you can ask your professor later during their office hours.
Document your journey: If there’s anything you’re going to take from this guide, let it be this. TAKE LOTS OF PICTURES AND VIDEOS. Of anything and everything. It works as a time capsule of sorts, allowing you to look back and reminisce about your time as a first-year. Seeing the progress you’ve made is honestly really beautiful. Take pictures of your experiences, whether they’re fun or boring. Take pictures with your friends and of the campus. You’ll be surprised to see how far you’ve come
University life moves quickly, and before you know it, you’ll be packing away your dorm room and preparing for whatever comes next. So as you begin your academic journey, remember this: you don’t need to have everything figured out. Just stay open. Try new things. Build relationships. Take risks. And cherish the moments, big and small, that will shape the person you’ll be at graduation. Your time here is a gift; make it count.
By Akousa Enam Zigi (Class of 2026)
