College certainly goes by faster than anyone expects, and life at Clemson University is full of traditions, experiences and spontaneous moments that will make your time here unforgettable. Between football weekends, lake days on Hartwell, late-night study sessions and exploring downtown, there are countless ways to make your time count at Clemson. Whether you’re a freshman stepping into this brand new world or a senior trying to squeeze in every last memory, this Clemson bucket list is packed with must-do experiences before you graduate.

No Clemson bucket list would be complete without a game day in Memorial Stadium. Watching the Clemson Tigers run down the hill is one of the most iconic traditions in college football, and every student should witness it at least once. Spend the entire day tailgating with friends, wear orange and purple from head to toe and stay through the alma mater after the game ends. Even if football isn’t your thing, the atmosphere is unforgettable.

Beyond athletics, Clemson offers beautiful outdoor spaces and campus traditions. Take a walk around Lake Hartwell, spend a day kayaking or tubing or visit the South Carolina Botanical Garden. Students should also experience classic Clemson traditions, such as late-night study sessions in R.M. Cooper Library or relaxing with friends on Bowman Field.

Food and campus involvement are also essential parts of the Clemson experience. Try local favorites like The Esso Club or go for late-night pizza runs with friends. Attend Tigerama, join a student organization and support campus events and traditions.

Before graduating, take time to appreciate the small moments, too: thunderstorms on the way to class, early-morning bus rides, spontaneous trips to Greenville and walks through campus at sunset. These are the things that make Clemson feel like home.

Completing everything on this list might be impossible, but that’s part of what makes the experience so meaningful. There is always something happening, someone to meet or a new tradition to discover.

1. Watch the team run down the hill at a Clemson football game in Memorial Stadium.
2. Take a sunset walk around Lake Hartwell.
3. Try every ice cream spot and choose your favorite.
4. Study in the hidden stacks of R.M. Cooper Library.
5. Pull an all-nighter during finals week at Cooper.
6. Take a picture with the Tiger Paw at midfield.
7. Attend a basketball game at Littlejohn Coliseum.
8. Ride the bus around campus just to avoid the hills.
9. Go paddleboarding or tubing on Lake Hartwell.
10. Try as many local coffee shops as possible.
11. Watch the sunrise from Bowman Field.
12. Attend Tigerama during Homecoming week.
13. Get soaked walking to class in a random thunderstorm.
14. Visit the South Carolina Botanical Garden during peak bloom.
15. Hike nearby at Table Rock State Park.
16. Tailgate all day before a football game.
17. Stay for the entire football game, win or lose.
18. Try dollar pizza night at Todaro Pizza.
19. Pick up and read The Chronicle magazine.
20. Take graduation-style pictures before senior year.
21. Take a walk on the Dikes.
22. Eat at The Esso Club at least once on game day.
23. Cheer at a soccer game for the Clemson Tigers men’s soccer.
24. Explore downtown Clemson during a busy weekend.
25. Watch a movie at Hendrix Student Center.
26. Attend a campus organization fair and join something unexpected.
27. Try every dining hall at least once.
28. Tune into WSBF-FM.
29. Go to a baseball game at Doug Kingsmore Stadium.
30. Visit the Reflection Pond at night.
31. Take a spontaneous road trip to Greenville.
32. Order late-night Cook Out trays with friends.
33. Attend the Ring Ceremony.
34. Rent a kayak from Y Beach.
35. Go to Waffle House the morning after a late night.
36. Experience fall in Clemson.
37. Go to a fraternity or sorority philanthropy event.
38. Spend an entire day without leaving campus.
39. Watch fireworks over the lake.
40. Volunteer at a Clemson community event.
41. Make it to class after only two hours of sleep.
42. Have a picnic on Bowman Field.
43. Attend an intramural game with friends.
44. Sing the alma mater after a big win.
45. Explore every floor of Cooper.
46. Visit nearby waterfalls like Issaqueena Falls.
47. Drink way too much coffee before an 8 a.m. class.
48. Read The Tiger front to back.
49. Take one last walk around campus before graduation.
50. Graduate from Clemson University and come back for Homecoming.

Lauren Douda is a junior English and secondary education major from Lexington, South Carolina. Lauren can be reached at [email protected].