Whether you’re a freshman or senior, there are plenty of experiences and opportunities you should be taking advantage of before graduation. That’s why I created a college bucket list full of 75 ideas for you!
I’ve divided everything into the following categories: Academics, Campus Life, Financial Aid, Career, Adulting, Self-Care, and Random (because sometimes the best things in life don’t fit into a category). After you read through them all, I’d love to hear how many you’ve checked off your college bucket list so far!
Academics
1. Learn how to manage your time effectively (check out Stress-Free Scheduling for more info on how to do just that!)
2. Create a degree plan
3. Take a class in a topic you wouldn’t normally be interested in
4. Take a personal finance course
5. Take the lead on a group project
6. Give a presentation for a class
7. Visit your professors during office hours at least once each semester
8. Learn how to properly cite sources
9. Create a study schedule
10. Complete a research project and present your findings
11. Create and conduct a survey
12. Make the Dean’s List at least one semester
13. Get an A on a test (use my tips for getting a’s in college)
14. Learn a foreign language
Campus Life
15. Attend a sporting event
16. Go tailgating
17. Join an on-campus club/organization
18. Attend a random campus event (i.e. movie night, etc.)
19. Participate in intramural sports
20. Make it a point to know your neighbors
21. Take photos by your school’s memorable statues and landmarks
22. Take a photo with your school’s mascot
23. Learn your school’s alma mater and fight songs
24. Take a group fitness class at your rec center
25. Eat lunch/dinner with a random person
26. Attend a lecture that’s on a topic you know little or nothing about
27. Throw a surprise party in your dorm
Financial Aid
28. Apply for a scholarship
29. File your FAFSA every year
30. Meet with a financial aid counselor to see if there are additional funding resources you haven’t discovered yet
31. Understand the terms of your student loans (including interest rates, repayment options, etc.)
Career
32. Work at an internship or part-time job
33. Attend a networking event
34. Create a professional resume
35. Learn how to write a cover letter
36. Learn how to write an effective thank you note to potential employers
37. Participate in at least one mock interview
38. Improve your public speaking skills
39. Volunteer either individually or in a group
40. Set up a professional LinkedIn profile
41. Research potential employers you’d like to work for after graduation
42. Learn how to negotiate a starting salary
43. Schedule and conduct an informational interview
44. Take a personality assessment through your career center (or take this free one online)
Adulting
45. Create a budget (use this free college budget template to get started)
46. Learn the basics of investing
47. Start building your credit
48. Know what your credit score is
49. Run your free credit reports on AnnualCreditReport.com
50. Begin making payments on your student loans (if you have them)
51. Know how to properly sort and wash your clothes
52. Complete and file your own taxes
53. Take on at least one babysitting gig
54. Schedule and go to your doctor appointments
Self-Care
55. Exercise at least three times a week
56. Take a self-defense class
57. Host a movie night with your friends
58. Eat more vegetables
59. Have a spa day
60. Meditate for at least five minutes a day
Other Random College Bucket List Ideas
61. Go without your phone for one day
62. Avoid checking social media for 24 hours
63. Take on a DIY project
64. Learn how to change a tire
65. Learn how to meal plan
66. Host Friendsgiving one year
67. Go on a road trip with your friends during one of the breaks
68. Visit a friend at a different college
69. Create a 1 Second Everyday video to document your adventures
70. Read a book that isn’t required for school
71. Find the best pizza place
72. Create and use a capsule wardrobe for one semester
73. Try a new hairstyle
74. Fill a shoebox for Operation Christmas Child
75. Start a blog (read this post to learn how to get started)
What else would you add to your college bucket list?
Anna
October 24, 2017 at 8:02 amGreat list! I’ve definitely done most of these, but they were fun to read because they brought back some memories from previous years of college!
Tori
October 24, 2017 at 8:07 amWriting this also brought back a lot of great memories for me! There are definitely some things on this list I wish I had done (or had done more).
Michala
September 5, 2019 at 7:47 pmI agree! Honestly I miss those days because they were carefree
Michala
September 5, 2019 at 7:48 pmOr at least more carefree lol
Kuleigh
October 24, 2017 at 8:28 amThis is THE ultimate bucket list. I wish I had figured out more “adult” things in college like budgeting, taxes, and more self-care.
Tori
October 24, 2017 at 5:06 pmMe too! I felt so unprepared after I graduated.
Rachel Ritlop
October 24, 2017 at 10:48 amHonestly wish I did half of these things in college!
adriana
October 24, 2017 at 11:06 amI wish I had this when I was still in school haha! Such a great list, awesome ideas!
Rachel Ritlop
October 24, 2017 at 11:18 amTaking advantage of my universities mock interview option was one of the most valuable things I did in college. It helped me immensely when the time came to look for a job and going through that interview process.
Tori
October 24, 2017 at 5:06 pmYes, same! They even videotaped one of my mine and it helped me to focus more on my posture – super helpful!
Annaliese
October 24, 2017 at 11:33 amAh I did a lot of these when I was in college! This is a great and very well thought out list!
xoxo A
http://www.southernbelleintraining.com
Michelle Paige
October 24, 2017 at 2:17 pmSuch a fun list! I have to send this to my sister who just started college this year.
Tori
October 24, 2017 at 5:05 pmAw so fun! I hope she enjoys it 🙂
Jordyn
October 24, 2017 at 6:13 pmThis is a wonderful bucket list. I definitely recommend taking a class (or classes) in a subject you never knew you would/could be interested in. There is SO much to learn! I also wish I had learned more about finances (like my credit score) in college rather than waiting until I graduated.
Rachel
October 24, 2017 at 6:13 pmWhat a great list! If only I had a time machine to go back to the college days!
McKenna bleu
October 24, 2017 at 7:10 pmThis is a great bucket list. I can tell you spent a lot of time and thought on this.
SometimeSaturday
October 25, 2017 at 12:18 pmThis is such a great list! Perfectly organized and thought out.
Kristen
October 25, 2017 at 3:52 pmThis is such a great list! I loved going to sporting events during my college years and even now 🙂 there are so many things to do when in college!
Tori
October 25, 2017 at 4:11 pmI did too, and I still love them! College football runs deep into my blood now lol
nicholle
October 25, 2017 at 4:57 pmCreating a budget early in life is so important! It helps once you’re in the real world!
-Nicholle
http://www.nichollesophia.com
Ashley
October 25, 2017 at 5:52 pmLove your career section! The things that I did in college for my career has made all the difference!
Kait Around The Kingdom
October 27, 2017 at 10:29 amThis is so fun! Takes me back to my college days!