As summer came to an end and it was time for me to head back to Durham for my senior year, I decided to sit down and think of everything I have to do before graduating in May. After losing about a year and a half of my college experience to the COVID-19 pandemic, there are a ton of things I thought I would’ve done by the time my senior year rolled around. Have no fear, there is still time. Here are 10 things on my senior year bucket list!
- Camp in College Woods.
This first one is something I’ve actually done already, but have to bring it back one last time as a senior. My sophomore year (covid’s prime) my friends and I decided to go camping in our on campus hiking trails to escape orange mode (the lockdown UNH had declared due to rising covid cases) at the time. No tents, no sleeping bags, just our hammocks, a single lantern and a box of uncrustable peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Single handedly the scariest night of my life, but totally worth it for the belly laughs we all get reminiscing on the terror that was “sleeping” in College Woods. My friend group and I have made a pact that we’ll go back one last time; hopefully we’ll be a little more prepared for this go-around.Â
- Dress as iconic duos with my freshman year roommate for Halloween.
Perfect timing for this one! My freshman year roommate and I are going on four years strong living together. Being an iconic duo in our everyday life is one thing, but over the past few years, we’ve accumulated a list of iconic duos we have to dress as for Halloween. This year’s set is Drake and Josh, Cheech and Chong and Viola and Sebastian from She’s the Man. It’s going to be hard to top last year’s Snooki and Deena costume from Jersey Shore, but we’re determined to go out with a bang!Â
- Try every restaurant in Durham.
Going on year four in this small town, you would think I’ve tried just about every food place Durham has to offer. Well, you thought wrong. As a freshman, I found my go-to spots, and have been loyal to them since my time here. The Big Bean, Ciao Trattoria, Ramon’s Coffee Cart, Mei Wei and Bamee are all places I would consider myself a local at. With that being said, there are about 20 other places I’ve never tried. I’m making it my mission to eat in every establishment in Durham by the time I wave goodbye in May.
- Go skiing.
Okay this one is a little sad. Going skiing is not only on my senior year bucket list, but my lifetime bucket list as well. I have never been skiing. I know, it sounds crazy. As someone who’s grown up in the north-east and voluntarily chose to go to school in New Hampshire, how have I never been? Well, this year is my chance. I’ve already done my research, and you can rent a ski set for $25 a day through UNH’s campus recreation. Catch me on the bunny hill once winter rolls around!Â
- Play manhunt around campus.
This is one thing my childhood self is dying to do. I want to organize a ginormous game of manhunt around campus. The thought of playing a childhood classic around a college campus makes me so nostalgic. But seriously, why didn’t I think of starting a manhunt club earlier? I bet a ton of people would actually join.Â
- Take the train into Boston for a Celtics game.
First off, being from New York, I am by no means a Celtics fan! With that being said, taking the train to see any Boston sports team play live is almost a right of passage at UNH. It’s a part of New England culture, and I’m willing to suck up my NY pride in order to experience this during my final year in NH.Â
- Visit my best friend at the University of Alabama.Â
One of the hardest parts about going to school in NH is having my best friend be over 1,000 miles away at one of the craziest schools in America. We have dreamt about the day I finally make my appearance in Tuscaloosa, and that day is happening this year before we graduate. A weekend at the University of Alabama might take a few years off my life, but it’s something I must experience before I’m no longer a college student.
- Go on a big spring break trip.
A big spring break trip is another traditional college experience that everyone should have the opportunity to do. Unfortunately, my first two spring breaks were taken away by covid, and last year I was abroad (wouldn’t change it for the world), so I have never experienced a spring break trip with my UNH friend group. We’re hoping to go somewhere tropical, and enjoy what could be the last week we all have off at the same time for awhile!Â
- Polar plunge at Hampton Beach.
There’s a cute story behind this bucket list idea. I’ve worked at the Student Philanthropy Center since I was a freshman, and what the job entails is calling alumni. I spoke to one woman who graduated in the 80s and told me how every year, she and her friends would take the polar plunge at Hampton Beach the first day of Spring. Instantly, I knew I had to add it to my bucket list.Â
- Skydive New England.
My final bucket list item is a big one, which I’m not sure will be feasible because of how expensive it is. Skydive New England is a skydiving company located right in Maine, and is something I’ve wanted to do since I was a freshman; I just didn’t have the funds to make it happen. Hopefully I can save up enough to do this in the Spring as one last thrill-seeking adventure before walking across the stage at graduation!