There are many articles on what college students should not miss out on in college. The best part about Penn State is that every student has the opportunity to accomplish everything anyone has ever named. Below I made a list of what I believe all Penn Stater's should not miss out on during their time here.
1. Live with someone you do not know as a freshmen. Some of your best friends can come out of a random roommate assignment and if not you will have some funny stories to tell of your awful roommate.
2. Go to a fencing match! They hold the record of the most national championships won at Penn State. It is 13!
3. On that note, try to go to at least one of every athletic teams event. You will never feel more prideful then cheering on people who are representing the university with a community that loves Penn State as much as you do.
Penn State Field Hockey won the Big Ten Championship on our home turf
4. Be apart of THON. Whether that be cheering on dancers from the stands THON weekend, watching the live stream, or being on a committee. Penn State has the largest student ran philantrophy in the world who just raised $13 million dollars in 2015 for pediatric cancer and you are apart of that university!!! Go check it out.
Merchandise Distribution Committee 2015 - 3rd Canning Weekend
5. Study Abroad. I know everyone says it, but you will understand why after you go.
Adventures in South Island, New Zealand
6. Meet your professors. I am not talking about the quick introduction you see students giving on the first day of class... I am talking about visiting them during office hours for help and for "life advice".
7. Join a club or organization that pertains to your major. This is beneficial as an underclassmen because you learn about the major's expectations, classes, and start networking with students and professors.
8. Join a club or organization that is aligns with a hobby, cause you support, or something that sounds fun.
9. Make a friend or two in every class.
10. Buy the cheap concert and show tickets that BJC offers. They only get more expensive once you leave college.
11. Enjoy the good eats of State College. There are many great places to eat in State College and I would suggest changing it up from time to time. My favorites are Otto's, Home Delivery, Meyers Dairy, and Green Bowl.
12. Tailgate: as often and as much as possible. No one does it better.
13. Get dressed and go to career fairs. Start going sooner then later. The more practice you have the more confidence you will have talking to people who are looking for a Penn Stater to employ.
14. Do not avoid the HUB. Yes it can be crazy and it can eat your bank account away, but there is no better way to get freebies, know what is going on at Penn State, and meet new people then at the HUB. Pick up a collegian while you are there and read it.
15. Most people do not move to State College after they graduate so enjoy the mountainous area while you are there. There is more then Mt. Nittany to hike... go check out Penn State's Environmental Center - Shaver's Creek.
16. Utilize the happy hours. Again, it only gets more expensive after you leave college
17. Plan to attend famous speakers at Eisenhower Auditorium. Two of my favorites have been Mike Eruzione and Magic Johnson and they are usually free of charge.
18. Learn and observe Penn State's history and landmarks throughout campus. We are because of who came before us and what are we going to do to leave Penn State better then when we came?
19. Go to every building on campus. Keep track on a map.
20. Take the opportunity to meet someone new. It could be a student, professor, or administrator.
This list has no particular order but it takes motivation and desire to accomplish and do all you can while at Penn State. It is easy to get sucked into doing nothing on the weekends, binging on Netflix, and partying at every opportunity. "Bigger is Better" and that is why Penn State is the BEST, but many people do not realize it until after they leave so do not waste a minute.
