As a tour guide going on three years of giving tours to sometimes surly, other times overenthusiastic families, I get asked why I came to Oswego State. They usually follow up my answer with ‘well it sounds like you really like the school!’ I answer, ‘Well, they don’t let the kids who hate it give the tours!’ Then I get a confused look from said parent and I chuckle to myself.

Any way, no one ever asks me what my favorite things about Oswego State are. Rude. Since I have one good article left in me and no one wants to hear this answer on my tours, I will fill you in. This is my list of the top five things to do before you graduate.

#5 Go to a Hockey Game. I don’t care if you hate hockey or if you are the happiest, maple syrup loving Canadian on the planet, you should have gone to at least one hockey game while you’ve been here. You don’t have to go to all of them, just one.

#4 Walk out to the Lighthouse. This is a weather dependent must-do, but trust me it’s worth it. Walking along the break wall is a fun and mildly dangerous experience that you won’t soon forget, just make sure you wear close-toed shoes.

Bonus: If at all possible try getting up on the lighthouse deck. I went inside once and it was dirty but still very cool to see. Make sure to bring strong male friends that can help pull you up, especially if you’re 5’1” like me.

#3 Wander Around Tyler Hall. I had never really been in Tyler Hall until my second semester sophomore year when I took a theater class. I had a class right before in Mahar so I took the creepy/awesome tunnel that connects the two buildings with one of my friends and then we’d wander around to look at the student art they hang up in the halls. It’s pretty amazing the kinds of things our fellow artistically inclined classmates can do.

I wander in occasionally on tours or when I’m bored. The galleries are always great and seriously, these students are talented. Plus you never know what’s going to be there. I went in there the other day and found an interactive art project. Totally turned my day around. Thank you artists!

#2 Get a Crazy College Story. I am in no way telling you to go out and do something stupid so you can have a fun story to tell your friends. No, this stuff needs to happen organically. I’ve been here for four years so I have a few of them. Nothing gets the attention of others like starting a conversation with, “If it makes you feel any better I hit a nursing home with a school van once…” or finish it off with “and then the U.P. officer told me next time I walk around Lanigan I have to wear a shirt.”

#1 Find Your People. When I graduated from high school, I couldn’t understand why people were crying. I didn’t hate high school but I was ready to move on. On May 12 though you can bet that I will be bawling my eyes out. Why? Because I’m going to miss my friends so frickin’ much.

The friends I’ve made here are the most kick-ass people I have ever met. We’ve been through a lot together, and I’m not just talking about Oswego winters. These people made me who I am today, cause who I was freshman year was kind of lame. If you are reading this and I’ve counted you as a friend, thank you. Thank you for letting me be me, thank you for talking to me and thank you for choosing Oswego State.

Now reader, get out there and do this stuff! I just gave you five solid things to do instead of study for your finals or writing that paper that’s been looming over your head. These four years go fast, trust me, but check these five things off your list and your time will not have been wasted.