10 Things UI Seniors have to do before Graduation

Easter is over and we are officially in the home stretch of the semester! If you’re a senior like me, you probably feel like six weeks isn’t enough time to finish everything you’ve set your mind to the last four years. No worries, though, because we’ve created the perfect bucket list for all you seniors to ensure you complete everything before graduation.

1. Take a walk through campus during the sunset. Even though four years sounds like a long time, there are buildings, paths and areas on campus that you probably haven’t discovered due to your class schedule. Additionally, you probably haven’t been on campus too much at night or around sunset. You’re missing out on gorgeous views like the one below.

2. Make the Dean’s List. A good education is what we came to college for, right? Try your best to make this last semester your best by receiving either all A’s or all A’s and one B to make the Dean’s List (3.50 GPA or higher in 12 semester hours). Make mom and dad proud.

3. Order a drink or shot in every bar and pub in Iowa City. That way, you can say “Yes, I’ve been there!” when someone asks. Iowa City bars/pubs include: Donnelly’s Pub, Sanctuary Pub, The Vine, Summit, Airliner, Bo-James, Brother’s, Field House, dc’s, Martini’s, Union, Deadwood, Spoco, Pint’s, Studio 13, EDEN Lounge, TCB, Short’s. There might be more but this is a solid list to get you started. And as always, please drink responsibly!

4. Attend Iowa City’s Farmer’s Market. There’s something for everyone there, and it’s great to get outside and see all of the terrific summer food you’ve been missing. It opens on May 2nd and takes place on Wednesdays from 5 – 7 p.m. and Saturdays from 7:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Chauncey Swan Parking Ramp on the 400 block of Washington.

5. Ride the Rail in Martin’s Beer Garden. It’s on almost every UI student’s bucket list. Martini’s offers 20 beers on tap, and “Riding the Rail” consists of drinking an 8oz glass of each of the 20 beers on tap. Enjoy all 20 delicious beers in the beer garden during the day or under the lights at night.

6. Attend sporting events. Even though football games at Kinnick and wresting & basketball games at Carver are currently out of season, you can still cheer on your fellow Hawkeyes at various sporting events like tennis, baseball, softball, golf, soccer and more. Great news: if you haven’t yet experienced Kinnick Stadium, you can attend the football team’s spring game on April 25th at 1 p.m. If not, head over to Summit for an unforgettable tailgate. Go Hawks!

7. Try a new Iowa City restaurant every week. Now that the weather is nice, you can begin to enjoy Iowa City’s terrific food and sit outside while doing so. Givanni’s, Mesa, Bo-James, Formosa, Atlas, Crepes de Luxe Cafe, Short’s, Graze, Joseph’s, The Mill, Bluebird, The Ride, The Vine, Blackstone, Seoul Grill… The list goes on and on. 

8. Particpate in FAC (Friday After Class). Class is over for the week and you deserve a drink. Head downtown for some of the best deals all week, including: fishbowls at dc’s and $2 U-Call-Its & $2 Busch Light tall boys. These hot deals last until 9 p.m.

9. Go to the Coralville Resovoir. When it’s hot outside and you don’t have any homework to do, grab a few friends, throw on your bathing suit and head to “the rez.” It’s a nice beach just four miles north of Iowa City, and it’ll feel like you’re beside the ocean in record time. 

10. Meet some of your best, lifelong friends and graduate with them by your side. Because that’s what life is all about, right? Congrats, seniors!

Side note: The great part about this list is it is not limited to just seniors. Freshman, Sophmores and Juniors can all enjoy some of these various bucket-list items Iowa City has to offer. What better way to enjoy the last six weeks of the 2014-2015 school year then by checking off items listed above?