‘Must do’s’ for every college student

We attend UHCL to get an education. But college is also a time for exploration and experiences.

Years pass by in the blink of an eye. One day a freshman, the next day graduation time has arrived. Live in the moment and embrace the college experience.

Creating a bucket list is the perfect way to make sure students balance schoolwork and actually enjoy college life.

“I absolutely think that students should have a UHCL bucket list before they graduate,” said Carla Bradley, digital media studies major and former Student Government Association president. “Although UHCL seems like a small campus, there is a lot of history and campus secrets to discover and embrace.”

Bradley, and fellow student Yvonne Martinez, business major, agree that bucket lists are a great way to accomplish goals.

“I definitely think that students should have a bucket list of things that they would like to accomplish so they can set goals for themselves to get things done,” Martinez said. “I feel that if a goal is set in place, then a student is more likely to work for it.”

Bucket lists vary between students so each list can be as creative as the individuals constructing them. Students don’t like being told what to do; everyone wants the freedom of choosing that in which they get involved.

“Students are exposed to a lot of information during their orientation that they unintentionally let go through one ear and out the other ear,” Bradley said. “I believe that current and new students should have begun their bucket lists on their first day of class; regardless of when they were admitted to UHCL, getting involved on campus does not mean ‘join a student organization.’ To me, students can get involved by asking questions in their classes, visiting an on-campus office geared to inclusion and involvement, or just stopping to see events that are happening or contributing to a student organization’s fundraiser.”

Regardless of individual tastes and interests, there is plenty going on around campus to do and experience. Use the accompanying bucket list “Forty in Four Years: The Ultimate UHCL Bucket List” or utilize it as a tool to create one. The most important thing to remember is to enjoy the UHCL college experience while one can.

Forty in Four Years: The Ultimate UHCL Bucket List

The following is a list of recommended “bucket list” items to fill while a student at UHCL. The list is not limited to 40 items; personalize the list by adding fresh ideas in the comment section below.

1. Wear blue and green on Wednesdays to show UHCL pride.
2. Look for Hunter the Hawk’s real-life cousins flying over the campus next to the nature trail.
3. Hug and take a photo with Mr. Pappu, the Student Government Association giant teddy bear.
4. Attend an SGA meeting/Town Hall Meeting when President Staples is presenting tuition and fees.
5. Celebrate I Heart UHCL Day, held every October.
6. Attend the annual ISS Cultural Extravaganza and/or the Vagina Monologues.
7. Eat outside the Patio Café on a nice day.
8. Meet the Dean of Students (He’s not scary, I promise!)
9. Visit the NASA archives in the Neumann Library.
10. Look at the paintings of every UHCL President (second floor of the Bayou Building).
11. Order food from a food truck.
12. Read The Signal newspaper by downloading the app off its webpage: www.uhclthesignal.com.
13. Get free coffee and learn about different cultures from the ISS Office in the SSCB.
14. Look for the giant blob monster in the trees behind the Arbor Building (hopefully it’s still there).
15. Take a photo with Susie Queue in the Writing Center.
16. Attend ANY of the student organization on-campus cultural events including:
    • Diwali – Indian Students Association
    • Tet – Vietnamese Students Association
    • Black History Month – Black Students Association
    • Cinco de Mayo – Hispanics Advancing Culture, Education, and Rights
17. Stop by and check out the amazing art in the Bayou Art Gallery or on the white panels in front of the library.
18. Check out the collection of frog plushies in the Bayou Copy Center.
19. Find “Hope” on campus.
20. Take a selfie with the Liberty Bell, UHCL and Hawk Hollywood sign, and Spiritus Mundi (aka “Kissing Stones”) statues.
21. Meditate in the Meditation Room, Bayou Building rooms 1218 and 1219.
22. Attend a live performance in the Bayou Theater or a free movie screening in the SSCB Lecture Hall.
23. Stand outside and watch the raccoons go digging inside the trashcans (within a safe distance).
24. Eat chili during the annual Chili Cook Off.
25. Decorate your graduation cap.
26. Take a picture of the deer that roam throughout the campus.
27. Visit all of the campus buildings even if you don’t have a class in it.
28. Take a picture with Hunter the Hawk.
29. Ride on the UHCL courtesy shuttle.
30. Pull an all nighter studying or doing homework.
31. Be on a team for the annual Chili Cook-Off.
32. Take a break to walk on the nature trail or walk from the SSCB down to the Delta recreational fields (look for the alligators in the pond!).
33. Attend a community service fair.
34. Go work out at the gym in SSCB or at least act like it.
35. Take a Signal selfie outside the newsroom, B1239.
36. Join one of the many school organizations.
37. Get at least one ticket from the campus police; it’s almost inevitable.
38. Take graduation pictures on campus.
39. Hang out in the student life lounge.
40. ENJOY THE COLLEGE EXPERIENCE.