Can you believe it, collegiettes™? It’s already Dead Week: the school year is coming to an end! You know what they say: “Time flies when you’re having fun.” I guess for all of us Boiler girls it must go even faster! So with two weeks left it is only appropriate to make a list of all the things we Boilermakers must complete before leaving this hallowed ground. (For those of you who failed to get the super witty Boiler sports pun in the title, shame on you!) With time running out on the clock, why not end the school year the right way? Why not do all of those crazy, fun Boiler-esque activities one last time? For all of you graduating seniors, I hope you take the time out of your busy schedules and go on one last adventure and accomplish some of these fun little activities. So, without further ado, collegiettes™ – The Her Campus Purdue Bucket List:
1. Fountain Run: Oh yes, the infamous run through the icy waters of the Purdue fountains. It is a great way to cool off with some friends on a warm, sunny day. It may surprise you, but some Purdue students still have not to this day taken part in this school-wide tradition. (Guilty!)
2. Den Pop: Let’s face it Boilers, no matter where we go in life we will never find another Den, and we probably won’t find another 60-cent soda either. So empty out your piggy banks, ladies! Hit up The Discount Den one last time and buy your favorite fountain drink concoction. My personal recommendations: the Flaming Bitch or the Big Man on Campus!
3. Hello Walk: We all know this story. Each student or visitor passing down the Hello Walk is supposed to say “Hello!” to each and every passerby. But how many of us actually do it? (It’s okay; I’ll pause for the awkward silence where we all feel a little guilty!) So next time you’re frolicking down the Hello Walk, just smile and say “Hello!” I guarantee you will make that person’s day and who knows–doing that just might brighten your day, too!
4. Cheesy Bread: That’s right. You have to do it. Go out, get crazy with your best friends, and order it one last time. It can be your farewell to the awful drunk-food diet that we call college, or it might just be “bye-bye” for the summer. After the mass amounts of Mad Mushroom Cheesy Bread that we have already consumed, one more time won’t hurt.
5. The Chant: For those of you who are wondering just what chant I’m talking about, it’s the “IU SUCKS” chant, of course! So, the next time you’re in a public place and see a large gathering of Boilermakers in your midst (and you are feeling obnoxious and rebellious) shout it out! Do it! I dare you! We all respect IU and our two universities share a special Indiana/Big Ten bond, but every Boiler likes to have a little fun and be playfully competitive. It’s a little hip-hip-hooray for Purdue camaraderie. “IU SUCKS, IU SUCKS!”
6. Harry’s Popcorn: Sorry to all of you underage readers (don’t worry–your time will come!) but no legal-aged Boiler collegiette™ can deny the amazingly satisfying taste of Harry’s Chocolate Shop popcorn during a fun night of bar hopping. And if you are one of those girls who just does not like popcorn, that’s fine, too! Head to Jake’s on Friday night and have one last free hot dog. YUM!
7. Picture Time: Just about every Boilermaker took a picture with the big “Purdue University” arch by Armstrong when they came here. It was like a transition out of high school. Taking that picture under the arch officially marked your being at Purdue. Pictures are worth a thousand words, and the memories they hold can last a lifetime. Make sure you never lose those Purdue memories, and take a parting picture under the arch! And if you’re really into snapshots, Mr. Neil Armstrong is just a hop, skip, and a jump away. Make it a picture party!
8. The Bell Tower: For those of you Boilermakers that aren’t completely superstitious (or maybe you just already know you aren’t graduating in 4 years–guilty, again!) take a walk under the Bell Tower. For all of you collegiettes™ who are unaware of the supposed Bell Tower curse, it is said that if you walk under the Bell Tower as a freshman you will not graduate in four years and you’ll have to take a victory lap (or half of one!). Now, we are certainly not telling you baby Boilerettes to test your luck or challenge any higher power, but if you’re an upperclassman who has yet to take a stroll under this notable Purdue monument, what are you waiting for!
The way I see it, it’s like earning your right of passage. You came, you saw, you conquered the Bell Tower superstition.
9. Famous Franks: What college student doesn’t find the idea of a hot, greasy, smorgasbord of delicious food piled into one $5 sandwich from the back of a truck absolutely appetizing? Exactly. EVERYONE loves Franks. And for those of you Boilers who may be a little confused and feeling out of the loop–don’t worry, that’s what Her Campus Purdue is here for! There is a delightful little truck, parked across the street from Harry’s (next to Rawls Hall) at night on the weekends that serves grilled cheese, hot dogs, and other sandwiches all for cheap. My personal recommendation: a Fat Boy (with ranch, obviously). If you have not experienced Famous Franks yet, do it now! I’m begging you!
10. Memorial Mall: Just go. Be. Live. Sit down and feel the sun on your face and the breeze in your hair. Just enjoy life. My favorite thing to do in Memorial Mall is to people watch. I know it sounds creepy, but it’s totally innocent! It’s just observing and watching. But the fun spring attitudes and the happy souls traipsing by are simply contagious. Who couldn’t use a little bit of that infectious spirit during these last two weeks?
Whether you take my advice or want to make a bucket list of your own, there are so many things to do here at Purdue that you will never be at a loss. These ten items are just the tip of the expansive “Purdue activities” iceberg. Life isn’t about making it to tomorrow; it’s about making today worth every second. So go on Boiler collegiettes™–go out with a BANG!
Sources
Discount Den photo courtesy of Amanda Lukawski
Harry’s Chocolate Shop photo credit: College Bar Scene http://www.collegebarscene.com/bar/Harrys-Chocolate-Shop/38