College is a time for growth. Never did I think that I would learn the basics of coding, take a class solely about the Olympics, study abroad in Beijing, or play eight different intramural sports (yet I did all of those things and more). The possibilities are endless—and no two students’ undergraduate experiences will look the same. Here are my personal suggestions on activities you can’t miss out on as an undergraduate. Bonus points if you do some of the items once each year!
- Climb the 271 stairs to the top of the Rockefeller Carillon Tower. It’s free with your UChicago ID, plus you get a glimpse of the inner workings of the carillon. You may even be able to request a song! I spent many a May 4th on campus hearing the bells ringing the Star Wars theme. This is also a great activity to do with visitors from out of town, as you can see the city skyline without paying for the ticket up to the Hancock Observatory.
- Bike up Lakefront Trail. The ride from the Museum of Science and Industry in Hyde Park to Museum Campus (where the Field, Shedd, and Adler are housed) is 6.3 miles. Another mile and a half, and you’ll get to the Bean. Pro tip: don’t worry if you don’t own a bike—Divvy rideshares make it easy to rent a bike by the hour or the day. Second pro tip: this is not a windy day activity.
- Decide which dining hall is best. This is a heavily contested debate on campus, and, with a brand-new residential commons and dining hall coming in the fall of 2020, the competition is only going to get stiffer. Try out the specialties at each dining hall—you can never go wrong with the taco bar at Bartlett. Find your favorite seating. And, of course, befriend the amazing staff—they are the best!
- Attend a Summer Breeze concert. Summer Breeze is an annual festival and concert hosted by the Major Activities Board each spring to celebrate the end of the academic year and the beginning of warmer seasons. Former acts include U2, Chance the Rapper, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Eminem. The 2019 lineup brought Aminé, Allie X, and Becky G to campus.
- Go abroad (at least once)! We’re very lucky at UChicago that over 50% of our students study abroad at least once! One reason why that number is so high is because study abroad here is accessible. Your financial aid will always follow you abroad. We also have a variety of programs available, whether you want to fulfill your Civilizations Core requirement in Oaxaca or study neuroscience in Paris. As an international studies major, I chose to explore a new region and studied social sciences in Beijing for nine weeks. Six steamed buns every day for lunch for less than $2? Yes, please!
- Play broomball. I know that sports aren’t for everyone, but broomball is one of those sports that legitimately requires zero athletic skill. For those unacquainted, it’s like ice hockey except you play with a broom and wear sneakers instead of skates. Half the fun is falling every few steps! Most houses will have their own broomball teams and also participate in more than 30 other intramural sports throughout the year.
- Go to at least one day of Kuvia. Derived from the Inuit word for “Happiness,” Kuvia is a week-long festival that takes place every second week of Winter Quarter. For those brave enough to participate, you show up at Henry Crown Field House by 6:00 am to do sun salutations before going to an hour-long athletic workshop. Attend all five days, and you get the coveted long-sleeve Kuvia t-shirt and all the glory! Even if you can’t make it for the entire week, it’s worth going on Friday to walk to the Point and watch the sun rise over the frozen lake.
- Watch a new (or old) movie with Doc Films. Out of our 450+ registered student organizations, Doc Films is one of the older ones, founded in 1933. They screen movies every night of the academic year, dedicating each day of the week to a different theme (e.g. Old Westerns on Tuesdays, New Releases on Saturdays, etc.). They often feature movies that can't be seen elsewhere at only $7 a ticket or $40 for a quarterly pass.
- Take one elective totally outside of your comfort zone. Like I said, college is a time to grow and explore. When else are you going to have the chance to take a class called “Star Wars and Religion” or to learn the Kazakh language? One of the benefits of a liberal arts college is that as long as you meet the prerequisites, you can take classes in any department you choose! One of my favorite electives was “Anthropology of Olympic Sport” with John MacAloon.
- Complete at least one Scav item. Scav takes place every Mother’s Day Weekend and is one of those traditions that makes us who we are. Each year, the new list contains hundreds of items—some that must be found in the style of a traditional scavenger hunt, but others that must be built, performed, written, programmed, drawn, eaten, designed, painted, solved, and won. You never know what you might see on campus during Scav weekend!
- Eat at Valois. This should be an easy one to check off the list. While there are many local eateries to support in Hyde Park, there may be none more famous than Valois. Widely known as Obama’s favorite diner, it opens at 5:30 am and the staff make omelets at lightning speed. Cafeteria style? Cash only? It’s a great place to go with your housemates for a weekend brunch.
- Try to get free food at least once a week. While I do wholeheartedly encourage supporting local businesses, we all know that college students are easily won over by free food. And you’re in luck, as it’s in high demand here. At the very least, you’re guaranteed a social study break (and snack) once a week thanks to your Residential Heads. There are also various social media platforms and mailing lists that track leftover food at campus events as well.
- Attend a Latke-Hamantash Debate. Something unique about the UChicago intellectual community is that it truly extends beyond the classroom. (If you’re a prospective student, I encourage you to eavesdrop on some conversations in the dining hall if you ever get the chance to visit.) The Latke-Hamantash Debate has been an annual tradition since 1946 where some of the top scholars at UChicago will use the lenses of astrophysics, environmental justice, or feminism to determine if the latke or hamantash reigns supreme.
- Go to at least one Sox or Cubs game. Some houses or clubs will subsidize these activities, so it’s possible you could score a ticket for less than $10! Bonus points if you attend a game after taking Matthew Briones’ “Baseball and American Culture” class (another one of my favorite electives). Even if you’re not a baseball fan, it’s still a great opportunity to get out and explore the distinctive neighborhoods of Bridgeport and Wrigleyville.
- Make life-long friends. Yes, I’m ending with a cliché. But it’s true that some of my best friends today are ones I made in college. I want to give a particular shout-out to the matchmaking powers in the Housing Office. My roommate and I could not have been a better match, and I was grateful to have a late-night jigsaw puzzle companion, study buddy, and someone to teach me how to make ice lanterns. You’re the best, Ruby!
*Bonus* One thing NOT to do before you graduate: Step on the Reynolds Club seal. Rumor has it that if you step on the coveted insignia, you won’t graduate in four years. It may be urban myth, but most of my friends and I were too scared to find out for ourselves and habitually avoided it.