Boston University students often fail to explore beyond what they see on campus, said College of Communication senior Chelsea Merget.
“A lot of kids don’t get off Commonwealth Avenue or leave Allston their entire time here,” Merget said.
Seniors may benefit from the BU Student Activities Office, which compiled a list of 100 things to do in Boston before graduation.
Students challenging themselves with the “BUcket List” are heading to historical sites, parks, restaurants, museums, theaters and public places throughout Boston. SAO will give prizes to seniors who complete the most items on the list by the end of the Spring 2012 semester.
SAO posted the list on its Facebook page as an event on April 4. More than 300 people said they are attending.
COM senior Andrea Aldana said she has completed about 33 of the 100 spots on the list, but does not think it is possible to finish all 100 before she graduates this spring.
“I think I’ll definitely be keeping track of it to see what I should do, especially when my family comes for graduation — things we can do together,” she said. “But as far as completing the list, I don’t think that’s possible [as a current senior].”
Jenny Muschinske, a SAO employee and BUcket List committee member, said she and another graduate student began to compile the list. Later, they involved student groups, employees and student staff members asking them important things they should do before graduation.
Muschinske said while making the list, she and her colleagues did a lot of research and contacted many of the places to see what discounts BU students could get if they went to these places.
Students who go to Cheers Boston during senior week and show their BU ID will get 10 percent off of their meal. Muschinske said other places on the list have special deals if you show your BU ID.
SAO first posted the list on foursquare at the end of December 2011 with addresses and tips for all the items students should do before graduating.
Jessica Beavis, a senior in COM, said SAO should have released the list earlier to give seniors a chance to fulfill the 100 challenges by graduation.
“I think it’s a good thing because a lot of people are reminded, ‘Oh yeah, there are so many things around Boston that I haven’t been doing because I’ve just been in my BU world,’” Beavis said.
Aldana, who did not explore Boston until her junior year, said students should have been given a list at the beginning of their time at BU so they can complete the list and get the most out of their Boston experience.
But Merget said she has tried her best to get out and experience Boston and often finds something new to do.
“Without fail, every week I hear about another cool place to check out,” Merget said. “No matter where my life takes me, I will always have something new to come back and try in Boston.”
Boston is a great city to get to know if you give it a chance, Aldana said.
“I feel like you could really complete the list if you just start it early and really get more of an appreciation for the city,” she said. “Boston really grows on you.”
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