It's the Little Things: Traditions

School Traditions and what you can learn from them

I write this post on a Wednesday to post on a Friday.

Why?

Because Friday is my school’s infamous Last Day of Classes.

While I do not usually participate in certain activities associated with the last day of classes, the tradition at my school is that everyone wears matching shirts with their clubs/Greek organizations/singing groups/sports teams/etc. and has a big party on the quad. This party often includes bouncy castles and free food. Then, late at night, there is a giant event called “Pancake House” which provides the students with free pancakes, bacon, juice or milk, and entertainment.

It is a fun day. It is a long day. And, as this is college, it also includes a lot of alcohol. Before class, in class, after class and well into the night. That part is not really supported by my school… In fact, you can win a free T-Shirt for blowing a 0.0 at 6PM (and they’re cool this year).

Most schools have some version of this day of fun (though I’ve been reliably told that we’re the only school where the student’s drink in class), a party weekend or a big concert. A general day-of-fun to help everyone blow off steam.

Homecoming is the version of this at many schools.

So, as important as academics are, when you’re looking at schools look for the traditions. Both official and unofficial.

An official tradition is something like the Last Day of Classes at my school (big party, matching shirts, pancake house, free t-shirt for sobriety). An unofficial tradition is that everyone drinks all day.

So see what cool, fun traditions your school has. It can be everything from a big concert to a parade and carnival for the students. A cool graduation tradition (I know that Colgate has an absolutely terrifying tradition where they give all the seniors (in their flammable graduation robes) torches and they walk down a hill, while people throw them beer and other drinks… Safe guys… really safe). Or just a tradition that happens all year round (is there anything you “have” to do before you graduate?), I know my school has one of the craziest ones around. 

And then ask the students about the “unofficial” traditions as well.

Why?

The unofficial traditions can tell you a lot about the school. The environment, the sense of humor, the community.

Also- most of them are just plain fun!

College is a time of learning and growth. But each college has their own traditions as well. So find out what their traditions are, because they make each of the schools unique.