{Countdown to Graduation: 12 Days!}
With last Formals, the start of graduation parties, and battling Senioritis to write tomes of final papers, we are very much coming to the end of our time at SMU. The last four years have flown by faster than I could have ever imagined, and I look back at the adventures – which really don’t seem that long ago – and am so thankful for the friends who’ve been by my side (and in my selfies) through it all.
In honor of the last week of college, here’s a bucket list of things to do before you graduate; whether that’s in 3 years or in 12 days.
1. Jump in all 12 fountains – it’s a classic and really fun!
2. Climb the mustang statue – it is higher than you’d think it is (ya girl is scared of heights! Eeks!)
3. Throw a mini dance party in a dorm room – being friends with the RA is helpful when you thrive on loud music
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I’ll just let New Girl express my sentiments here
4. Get a selfie with our adorable but dangerous mascot, Peruna (Do not get bitten!)
5. Have a picnic on Dallas Hall Lawn – it’s v. relaxing
6. Join at least one campus organization where you feel at home – for me, that was my sorority Gamma Phi Beta. I even ended up living on Sorority Row for 1.5 years!
7. Attend a Tate Lecture – they’re gems and there are always free student tickets. They’ve had amazing speakers like Madeleine Albright, Brandon Stanton (HONY), and Indra Nooyi just this year!
8. Find the Speakeasy(s) in Deep Ellum *hint: Candy Store* and explore Uptown
9. Spot Former President George W. Bush on campus – he’s at almost every basketball game!
10. Light a candle at the Celebration of Lights – it’s always beautiful but avoid hot wax burns
11. Go Boulevarding! It’s a solid excuse to buy cute sundresses
12. Actually make it to the football game after Boulevarding…
13. Take a class just because it gives you joy – once in a while you have to take that crazy college class. (For me, that was French Vampire Literature and it was fantastique)
14. Check out a Meadows performance – we have really talented people in the dance and student theatre programs! (Curious about “10 B!tches & a Stage” ?)
15. Ride the bull at Trophy Room in Uptown – find out if you’ve got it in you
16. Pull an all-nighter in Fondren Library – there’s a camaraderie that happens uniquely between people trapped studying between 2am – 5am.
17. Go on a road trip! (Austin for ACL, New Orleans for Mardi Gras, Houston for the Rodeo…there are tons of options!)
18. Visit the George Bush Presidential Library’s “Oval Office” – think about what you would do if you were a world leader
19. Attend a sorority or fraternity’s Formal – it’s like College’s Prom(s)
20. Study Abroad! You’ll have the most amazing adventures, grow as a person, and have the most #lit Insta. (I 100% recommend SMU-in-Oxford and Paris BIA)
21. Do a photoshoot on campus – SMU consistently ranks as one of the most beautiful college campuses in the US!
22. Successfully make it to graduation without stepping on The Golden Seal (Yes, I’m superstitious!) 
#nikitalyfe 