Students spend years at Sacramento State without realizing what their tuition money goes towards on campus. Many graduate without living out their college years to the fullest. So here is a “to do” list for all students to accomplish before they put their tassel on the left side of their graduation cap.

1. Show some school spirit and attend a sports game. Really, just choose any sport, Sac State has everything from ice hockey to women’s volleyball.

2. Speaking of sports, attend a football tailgate. Nothing is more fun than spending time with over 300 students and alumni.

3. Use the state-of-the art fitness center, The Well. Students can find doctors, counselors, an indoor track, rock climbing and everything in between.

4. Go to the bookstore and buy Sac State apparel. Their clothes are abnormally comfortable and, oddly enough, rather fashion forward.

Alumnae Claudette Bailey is in love with her alumni sweatshirt she wears throughout the winter.

“It is probably one of the most comfortable sweatshirts I own,” Bailey said. “Plus, it’s nice going out of town and being able to represent where I spent some of the best years of my life at.”

5. Try to add a class. Yes, I know this doesn’t sound like a fun pick, but it will require effort and you will feel a sense of accomplishment when you get the nod of approval from a teacher.

6. Get involved. It does not matter what your interests are, there is an organization for you. You just have to go find it. The first two weeks of school are a perfect opportunity to check out the booths of organizations on campus.

7. Take a class that is completely out of your major. It will make you think outside of your typical norm. It’s college, you’re supposed to explore the world and become well-rounded.

Alumnae Anneke Suyderhoud said this was the best thing she could have done at Sac State.

“I took a child development course to cover a general education requirement because I thought it would be a fun class,” Suyderhoud said. “Thankfully, I took the course because it led me to my internship with children and I was qualified to become a counselor for Camp Adventure and travel all across Europe last summer.”

8. Between classes grab a beer at Round Table and take advantage of the fact Sac State is a wet campus. Lord knows most of us need it after our classes.

9. Attend a sorority or fraternity formal. If you haven’t been to one, it’s unlike anything you’ve ever seen before.

10. Relax and sleep in the terminal lounge. Believe it or not, there is a wonderful place on the second floor of the union for students to rent out a room with bean bags and music hook ups for free.

11. Study in the rooms the library provides. You’ve never experienced actual studying until you’re surrounded by four walls with no windows.

Alumni Anthony Freitas always had a hard time finding a quiet place to study until he discovered the secret library rooms.

“I had a group project for one of my classes and a member told us to meet in one of the rooms,” Freitas said. “It helped me out the rest of my senior year because it a places where you can get total privacy.”

12. Give blood during the blood drives. You save a life and better yet, get free food and drinks when you are done. It’s a win, win for everyone.

13. Catch a squirrel. We have all seen those suicidal squirrels who jump out right in front of you when you are already five minutes late to class. Teach them a lesson.

14. Go to a store or seminar that an alumni has contributed to or started. It will get you excited for your own graduation and could even inspire you. Plus, you never know what networking you can achieve.

15. Get an internship in your desired field. Sac State offers job listings through the career center. Students can find part-time and full-time jobs with mom and pop stores or even large corporations.

Alumnae Frances Higoy felt her internship was a great experience to put her ahead of the game in her future career.

“My internship at the American Lung Association was a wonderful place to dip my feet into a potential field I want to make a career,” Higoy said. “It added real world experience and caused me to network in a field of professionals.”

16. Buy tickets to see a concert on campus. Bands and various artists of all genres come to perform for students. It’s a great opportunity to spend time with your friends and rock out to your favorite music.

17. Attend a play or musical that the music and theatre department put on. Students can really see just how talented their peers are.

18. Eat at the dining commons with someone who has extra money on their dorm account. Let’s just say the freshmen 15 could easily turn into freshman 50 with all that food.

19. Study, Study, Study. The workload teachers give may seem like a lot but it is definitely worth it in the end.

20. Last but not least, read the State Hornet every week! I might be a little biased but there’s a lot of good information and instils a bit of community between the students.

Whatever you do, explore each one of these things before you shake the dean’s hand at graduation. There are a multitude of experiences and facilities Sac State provides its’ students, it just takes a little effort to find them.