College Graduation in the spring is fast approaching. The past 4-years of an undergraduate education is slowly coming to an end, but there’s still plenty of things you can do before you walk across the stage at graduation. To make the most of every last moment and soak up every memory before tossing the your cap at graduation, I’ve compiled 10 fun things to can consider to add to a college graduation bucket list around the University of Oregon.
1) Have a weekend getaway
After all of the hard work you’ve put through higher education, it’s important to take a step back, slow things down and treat yourself to a weekend away. Plan a trip with friends to escape Eugene for a while and forget about any stress or worries before graduation. Whether it’s to the beach, Portland or even a further trip down to San Francisco, a weekend getaway with good company will create fun memories you will cherish after college.
2) Go to a local movie theater
Tucked away in parts of Eugene are quaint, local theaters that showcase various independent in a more secluded and comfortable setting. The Broadway Metro, David Minor and Bijou Art Cinema are all great small theaters to check out. On a rainy day or a Friday night, you can head to one of these theaters with friends, enjoy some popcorn and local food from restaurants and watch your favorite movie showing.
3) Make a Time Capsule
People say that the time you spend in college is the best part of your life. And a good way to remember these wonderful times during your college experience is to create a time capsule. By either creating a video or crafting a small box, you can gather some of your favorite belongings and include some of your favorite college gear or even a textbook to remind you of the fond memories you had during this period of your life in the future.
4) Visit a Natural Grocery Store
Eugene is known for it’s wide array of vegan and vegetarian restaurants and having a lot of options available for those on a plant-based diet. If you’re a fan of vegan/vegetarian items or food items more on the organic side, you can visit one of the natural grocery stores Eugene has to offer. One of the stores you can visit is KIVA grocery, located on the west side of Eugene. KIVA is a natural grocery store offering a full service deli, local packaged goods as well as health and beauty products. The other natural grocery store you can visit is Sundance natural foods, located on E. 24th Ave. Sundance is a traditional food store that specializes in organic, locally grown produce, cruelty-free body care products and whole organic foods.
5) Go to the Farmers Market
During the fall or spring time is the best opportunity to visit the local Farmers Market in downtown Eugene. On a sunny, weekend afternoon you can take a trip to the market where you can find an array of homemade items from vendors and locally grown foods from produce to warm, baked goods.
6) Go to the Campus Museums
There’s a lot of cultural and artistic history found in the local campus museums. Before you graduate, take advantage of the student free discount and challenge yourself to learn about what the museums have to offer. Depending on your interests, two campus museums you can visit is the Jordan Schnitzer museum of Art as well as the Museum of Natural and Cultural History.
7) Visit Shelton McMurphey Johnson House
You might have driven by or seen the Shelton McMurphey Johnson house, the green “castle on the hill” located on Willamette Street. The house is a historical museum that offers daily tours/walkthroughs and is only $5 for students. You can learn about the family history, see the garden and landscape and have an afternoon tea to get the full experience of the historical exhibit.
8) Volunteer
Eugene is a community filled with a lot of volunteer opportunities. Whether it’s for a day, a month or even for a full term, make sure to give back to the Eugene community and volunteer through a local organization. Depending on your passions or what cause means the most to you, there’s numerous volunteer organizations to dedicate your time to such as Eugene Mission, Food for Lane County, Friends of Trees, Greenhill Humane Society and much more.
9) Treat yourself to a nice dinner
Be proud of yourself and the work you have accomplished in order to graduate from a higher education. Treat yourself to a nice dinner at one of Eugene’s array of delicious and welcoming restaurants. The Vintage is a great option filled with fondue, fancy cocktails and twinkly lights. Or there’s Beppe & Gianni’s Trattoria, Ambrosia or Mazzi’s if you’re in the mood for Italian food. Other great options restaurants for a decadent dining experience is the Oregon Electric Station, Marché or Rye.
10) Take A LOT of pictures
As you check things off of your bucket list before graduation, make sure to take pictures and document the memories you are making. Although you may want to soak up every moment without documentation, having these photographs to look back on are great ways to reflect on your college experience and the memories you’ve made along the way. Remember to take lots of pictures, because you’ll only regret the ones you didn’t take.