Everything you still have to do before graduation

For seniors, time is quickly running out for us to do all the fun things Ithaca has to offer, either for the first time or the fifth time. We have less than a month left in the greatest college town in the country.

Time to take advantage of some Ithaca-centric things before we have to say goodbye! Enjoy the “ten square miles surrounded by reality” before reality swoops in and hits us like a truck.

Nights out with your friends

There is something so satisfying about getting a big plate of fries for $3. A lot of places on the night-out scene in Ithaca, since it’s a college town, are pretty forgiving for a college student’s budget (in moderation). Theme nights, like Wednesday Fry Nights at Bandwagon, let you go out and have fun with your friends, stuff your face with fries and discounted drinks while you complain about all the homework you left at home so you could go out. Go grab a fishbowl at Moonies, have some fun with karaoke night at Kilpatrick’s. Once we graduate, times like this could be few and far between (and much more expensive.)

Gorges and falls

They don’t say “Ithaca is Gorges” for nothin’. So cliche, and so true. Sure, it’s cold like 90 percent of the time here so most of the time going outside isn’t really on the top of our “To Do” lists. But nice days in Ithaca are better than nice days anywhere else. So if you haven’t already, go explore! Explore Buttermilk Falls, the gorges, the lake! Take a hike! (Literally!)

Fountain jump

Basically all of Senior Week is going to be a blast, but if you’re like me, you’ve been dying to jump into the fountains! It’s the school tradition where I’m like “Man, I can’t wait to do that.” And often on a hot day we’ve probably all fought the urge to just go for it. At least this time we’ll have permission. Sometimes it seems like the fountains are only turned on for two reasons: 1. To impress potential students and their tuition paying parents, and 2. For the Senior Splash. They already got us for reason #1. Let’s really enjoy reason #2!

Go to the wineries and breweries

Ya’ll, there are over 25 wineries on Cayuga Lake, and they’re pretty much all awesome. Lucas Vineyards even has wines specially made to commemorate the class of 2016! If you’re of legal age and haven’t explored the awesomeness of having so many great wineries so close by, you’re missing out. Tastings are super cheap and some of the views from these wineries are killer.

Take advantage of this opportunity. Think of all the wines you have yet to try. (I have a particular soft spot for Six Mile Creek Vineyards. Their “Bellissimo” is the bomb.) Grab some friends and make a proper Ithaca day of it! Hit breweries like Ithaca Beer Company, too! (But of course, be responsible.)

Book sale

Yes, I’m serious. A book sale.

Even if you don’t love books, you should seriously check out this sale. Every week they go down in price, and they have DVD’s, music, movies and SO much more. Over 250,000 items on sale! It’s actually like heaven. Stock up on all the books you could ever possibly want to read in your lifetime before you leave Ithaca and have to go back to paying for $20 books at Barnes and Noble. All the books in that stack were $3 TOTAL! There’s even a student night on May 18th. Check out www.booksale.org for more info. Seriously. It’s amazing. (The sale is open on Kendall Day, but you can just pick another weekend to go.)

FOOD!

Sure, you can find a lot of great food in a lot of great places, but before you go discover those, say one last farewell to the places who have satisfied your sweet tooth and cured your hangovers for the past four years. (I’ll miss you so much, Taste of Thai.)

Have a night out at the Commons. (It was under construction for basically like half our time here, so we’ve got some time to make up for.) Go get like six scoops at Purity. You’ve earned it. I hope to one day find another “Sweet Rachel” like the one at Ithaca Bakery someday in my travels.

Senior formal

Dress to the nines and go have fun with your friends (and DJ Washburn of course.) Celebrate the past four years together and have a drink (or four) to forget about all those job applications you never got a response to. (Just don’t go too crazy. This is a formal, not Moonies.)

Use that senior card

We spent a lot of money on this little piece of plastic, so reap the rewards! Discounts at Waffle Frolic, Moonies, Agava and Rogan’s abound! (Plus a lot of others I haven’t even gotten around to taking advantage of.) Save the little money we have and have fun at the same time.

Enjoy the views and your time left on campus

Hopefully the weather will get nicer and we can start to spend time outside again. We really only get like two nice months here. Once it does, go for a walk. Let the memories of your time here flood back to you and have a nostalgic stare into the pond as you contemplate life. (Or fight off the geese. That’s equally as likely.)

Say goodbye

It’s the hardest part, but probably the most important. Say goodbye to your professors who have helped you become the person you are today and set you on your path towards your career. And say goodbye (for now) to your friends, as you go on your separate journeys. Enjoy being able to see them any time you want and make as many more memories as you can. Getting everyone together from this point on will probably entail a lot of planning! Celebrate the place that brought you all together and helped you make lifelong friends.

It’s going to be an emotional next few weeks. Here’s to the amazing IC Class of 2016!