Things every Aggie must do before graduating from Texas A&M University.

Howdy Ags, my name is Tatum Leger and I’m the loudest and proudest member of the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Class of 2019 (a whoop)! I decided to write this blog about life in College Station and life as a Aggie, specifically things Aggies should experience before they graduate college, because I’m going to graduate (too) soon, in May of 2019. As I feel my time in College Station running out, I’ve been thinking about all of the fun experiences I have had so far and also the things I still want to experience. So in order to encourage myself and my fellow classmates to make the most of the time we have left at A&M, whether you are a freshman (lucky you) or a senior like me, I have compiled this list of things to do before we close this chapter of our lives and become actual adults.

1. Go to a FTA football game (and stay until the end).

Football games are the highlight of the fall semester for Aggies. I’ve loved going to the games since my freshman year, however, it wasn’t until Clemson this year that I mustered up the strength to stay the entire time. I know standing the entire time is hard but if this 2%er can do it, anyone can.

Campbell, Thomas. “What Is the Best Aggie Football Game You’ve Seen?” Good Bull Hunting, Good Bull Hunting, 5 July 2013, http://www.goodbullhunting.com/2013/7/5/4494366/hullabaloo-best-texas-aggie-football-game-ever.

2. Attend Midnight Yell. 

Like most of our traditions, this is something that is unique to our school. It’s a great way to get excited for the game the next day and make sure you don’t look like a fool when you’re the only one in Kyle Field who doesn’t know the yells. 

“Midnight Yell in New Kyle Field.” Reddit, pbs.twimg.com/media/Bw1GhDKIIAA5icq.jpg.

3. Pond Hopping.

For those of you who do not know what this is, pond hopping is running around campus with a group of friends and jumping in all the fountains. I can’t say whether this is technically allowed by campus security or not but it’s worth the risk. 

Jeanne. “Corps of Cadets Moms Updates.” Band Will March Through the Quad; Silver Taps Explained; ‘Bama Game RSVP for Duncan, 1 Jan. 1970, cadetmoms.blogspot.com/2013/09/band-will-march-through-quad-silver.html.

4. Go to an Away Game.

I am not usually a spontaneous person, I’m a planner. However, my best friend is very spontaneous and always down for an adventure. Our sophomore year she somehow convinced me to make the almost 10 hour drive to Tuscaloosa for the Alabama game. It was so much fun, definitely worth driving 20 hours in one weekend. 

My friend and I at the Alabama game.

5. Camp at Lake Bryan.

This is a great idea for all you nature lovers or anyone who wants to get out of College Station for a while but can’t drop all their responsibilities to travel somewhere. S’mores and camping one night and the next you’re back at the library. 

“5 Ways to Prep for Camping.” Recreation.gov – Explore Your America, http://www.recreation.gov/outdoors/Explore_Go_Lists/5-ways-to-prep-for-camping.htm.

6. Northgate Bar Crawl.

Seniors grab your buddies and say goodbye to every single bar at Northgate. Please drink responsibly. 

Lawson, Daniel. “College Station, Texas Northgate Timelapse.” YouTube, YouTube, 7 Sept. 2014, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iSh1ee9pDMA.

7. Add bottle caps to Bottle Cap Alley.

While you’re at NG, don’t forget to make your contribution to Bottle Cap Alley next to the Dixie Chicken. 

“Bottlecap Alley.” Pinterest, http://www.pinterest.com/pin/137148751122300535/?lp=true.

8. Progressive Dinner at your favorite College Station restaurants.

If you are indecisive like me and just love all the food then a Progressive Dinner will be your new favorite way to eat. Start at one place for appetizers, then move on to another for the main course and finally, dessert at the 3rd restaurant. 

Puckett, Mike. “Antonio’s Pizza By The Slice: Best Restaurants in College Station.” Good Eats Texas, goodeatstexas.com/antonios-pizza-by-the-slice/.

9. Watch the sunset on top of a car garage.

One of my absolute favorite things about College Station is the amazing sunsets we have. I’m convinced that the sky is different here than other places. One way to get the best view is to drive up to the top of a garage. Grab some friends and some pizza and go appreciate the art in the sky. 

A College Station sunset.

10. Go to Silver Taps.

This is one of the most meaningful traditions we have at A&M. When we come together to honor the life of a fallen Aggie, we truly demonstrate our loyalty to the Aggie family. 

Cushing Memorial Library. “Muster and Silver Taps: Honoring Fallen Aggies.” My Aggie Nation, 4 Oct. 2016, http://www.myaggienation.com/history_traditions/muster_silver_taps/muster-and-silver-taps-honoring-fallen-aggies/article_a11f881a-e357-11e2-b3ed-0019bb2963f4.html.

11. First Friday in Downtown Bryan.

The first Friday of every month people take to the streets of Downtown Bryan to listen to street musicians, check out some artwork, watch a magic show, or browse the shops and restaurants that are kept open late for the event. 

“Live Music in College Station, TX and Bryan, TX | Country Music.” Bryan College Station Restaurants, Hotels, Events, & Things To Do, http://www.experiencebcs.com/things-to-do/entertainment/live-music/.

12. Pull an all-nighter and spend the night at the library.

Although this is not something I would recommend doing frequently, I feel as though you have not truly experienced college until you have studied all through the night. The best of us are so on top of things that they have never experienced this while the majority of us have probably felt we should be paying rent to the library instead of our homes because that is where we spend the most time. 

Waxman, Olivia B. “College Nap Rooms: Where to Sleep at University Libraries.” Time, Time, 29 Aug. 2014, time.com/3211964/nap-rooms-at-universities/.

13. Attend Songfest (not so subtle plug).

Songfest is the largest Greek philanthropy event at Texas A&M and it is put on every year by my sorority, Chi Omega. The show is comprised of 14 acts made up of one women’s and one men’s organizations that pair up to put on a show of dancing and acting. Each act has a different theme and wins money for their own philanthropies by participating. Last year we sold out three shows and raised over $180,000! Songfest is such a great show and very fun to watch, plus it benefits so many great causes. Come out and support your friends and philanthropy! 

Seidemann, Jena. “38th Annual Songfest Features 26 Organizations.” The Battalion, 5 Sept. 2017, http://www.thebatt.com/life-arts/th-annual-songfest-features-organizations/article_3dc43600-a47c-11e6-bb93-23186f57c01b.html.

14. Attend Stompfest.

Stompfest is the philanthropy event of the National Pan-Hellenic Council which consists of the African-American sororities and fraternities at Texas A&M. Each sorority and fraternity in NPHC is paired up with a sorority in the Collegiate Panhellenic Council and teaches them their signature step routines. This competition benefits the NPHC and the first, second, and third place winning acts receive money for their own philanthropies. Last semester I had the privilege of serving as the Stompfest Representative for Chi Omega and it was one of my favorite experiences of my college career. 

Last year Chi O won second place for our “IT” themed performance.

15. Participate in The Big Event.

The Big Event is the largest one-day, student-run service project in the nation. This day is the students’ way of saying “Thank you” to the BCS community for allowing us to take over their town. Students go to a variety of locations around BCS and help the residents with whatever they need. This could look like gardening, building fences, washing windows, picking weeds, painting houses, etc. Getting to know the residents of BCS by giving back to them and our community as a whole is such a fun and rewarding experience that every Aggie should participate in before they graduate. 

Me when I participated in The Big Event. 

Go out there and cross these things off your TAMU Bucket List, you can thank me later!

There are so many fun things to experience while we are here at Texas A&M that I could never list them all. However, I hope this post encourages whoever reads it to make the most out of their college years and gives them some ideas on how to do that. Thanks & gig’em!