You’ve heard it before: by the time graduation rolls around you will feel like you just finished orientation. These next four years are going to fly by, and each year will get busier than the last. So don’t wait for senior year to create a college bucket list, use your free time during your first year at the University to explore every side of campus. Here are a few things that every freshman should experience before they’re finishing up their last final and moving out of the dorms.

At a university of this size, classes can actually be fun!

There’s no doubt that by the end of your freshman year, you will have taken a few classes — ones that you may have liked, and probably a few you hated. Before your schedule gets bombarded by countless required classes and impossible 300-levels, use that extra couple hours in your schedule on a fun class. Avoid overwhelming yourself in your first year at the University by exploring classes such as Skating Activities, Dance Activities or Human Sexuality. Another way to take advantage of the wonderful academics on campus is to attend a lecture other than one for your classes. If you’ve heard about a goofy teacher or interesting class, just walk into the lecture like you belong, take a seat and you might even learn something.

Attend a sporting event.

Make sure your involvement with the Fighting Illini athletic teams goes far beyond just passing a 6-foot-5, blue and orange Nike jumpsuit-wearing athlete on the street. One of the perks of attending the University is, undoubtedly, the Big Ten sporting events. So check out a Friday night hockey game at Huff Hall, chant the fight song in Block I at a football game, or dress in head-to-toe orange for a basketball game. Whatever the sport, don’t leave your freshman year without cheering on our Fighting Illini.

Take advantage of what the Illini Union has to offer.

Take a break from the usual dorm movie night and head over to the Illini Union. Freshman year is a great time to gather friends from your dorm and challenge them to a game of bowling or billiards in the Rec Room. Also, the Illini Union Board hosts Illinites once a month on Friday evenings. Illinites is a late-night program that offers free entertainment, food and activities to students who want a non-alcoholic alternative to the typical Friday night frat party. The Illini Union also offers concerts in the Courtyard Café, an art gallery, theater performances and the Oasis — a center that provides free healthcare for students.

CUMTD — use it, love it.

During your first year on campus, learn to love the bus system. Not only because the buses tell you to smile when the sun’s out, or because they’re a saving grace when it’s down-pouring (as it often does) and you’re five minutes late to class, or even because they are an excellent source of people-watching and eavesdropping. Love the bus system also because it allows you to explore the Champaign-Urbana area. Before your first year is over, use the free bus services to check out Marketplace Mall, ride to the Farmer’s Market on Saturday morning, or explore the wonderful cafes and restaurants of Urbana.

18 is not too young to experience CU nightlife.

Although you might not be old enough to get in to some of the Champaign bars, some Urbana bars welcome 18-year-olds. Before the year is over, every college freshman should experience Canopy Club. Canopy Club hosts a number of concerts and events throughout the year, featuring music of all different genres. So grab your friends and head over to Canopy, no fake ID required.

Expand your food horizons.

Possibly one of the best things about living in the dorms are the dining halls. They may not measure up to your mother’s home cooking, but you can eat all you want, there’s a pretty good food variety and, as you will later learn, best of all is that you don’t have to cook. So take full advantage of this culinary abundance and try out different dining halls. Every dining hall has something different to offer, including some specialty restaurants from different cuisines. Try them all before you are forced to face your doom of Ramen Noodles and Mac and Cheese for the next three years.

Jordan is a junior in Media.

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