The Barnard Bucket List
One of the best parts of going to school in New York City is how much there is to do all the time. You’ll never be bored trying to figure out how to spend a weekend! In fact, so much is happening here that the amount of options can be overwhelming. To make it a bit easier, I’ve asked fellow Barnard students to help me compile a Barnard/NYC bucket list. Below are 25 things, in no particular order, that Barnard students think every student should do before they graduate!
Take a class that doesn’t count for any requirement, just because you want to. It might end up being one of the best classes you take!
Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge when the weather gets nice.
Stay here for a break so you can explore the city on your own time.
Go to Big Sub, Barnard’s annual sandwich extravaganza.
Have a picnic in a park with your friends (Riverside, Morningside, and Central Park are all super close!).
Go to a nearby beach. There are plenty you can get to via public transportation!
Look at the stars from the telescopes on the roof of Pupin, Columbia’s physics building.
Go to all 5 boroughs.
Go to the tree lighting ceremony for the trees on College Walk.
Take the free bus up to the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory.
Take advantage of Columbia’s free museum pass by going to as many museums as possible.
Find your favorite bagel, slice of pizza, and other renditions of iconic NYC foods.
Wander through one of the many holiday markets in December.
Walk the High Line in Chelsea.
See a Broadway show or other performance with discounted tickets from Barnard’s ticket booth.
Get a paper or article published.
Take a day trip out of the city—there are plenty of cool places you can get to on the train!
Join the leadership of a club you love.
Watch a famous holiday parade, whether it’s for Halloween, Thanksgiving, St Patrick’s Day, or something else!
Go to a concert at one of the many venues in the city.
Participate in the “primal scream” right before finals (weird, but cathartic).
Go bargain hunting on Barnard’s amazing Buy Sell Trade page.
Explore a different form of transportation to one of the smaller islands—take the tram to Roosevelt Island or the ferry to Governors Island.
Spend a day reading or studying at the Hungarian Pastry Shop.
Volunteer in the city for a cause you’re passionate about.