Summer before college bucket list: 20+ ideas for an adrenaline-rush

Make your last summer before college unforgettable by adding some adventurous activities to your bucket list. 

Seniors in high school can still create memories after graduation. The fun times don’t have to end as soon as you walk across the stage. Aside from preparing for adulthood as a college student, celebrate with close friends and family, too.

High school graduation is a huge milestone to cross, so live it up.

Your summer before college bucket list can either be short or long, filled with productive activities, or full of wacky ideas that you enjoy.

But in case you don’t know where to start, no worries, I’ve got you covered!

In this post I share a list of memorable, fun activities you can add to your personal bucket list before college.

What should I do the summer before I go to college?

The amount of items you can add to your bucket list the summer before college could be endless, but it’s much easier to divide your activity ideas into categories.

• Academic Goals
• Dorm Room Prep
• Social and Extracurricular Activities
• Events and Experiences
• Personal Finance

Your categories can look much different, of course, but I recommend keeping it to a minimum of 3-5 areas to focus on. After all, summer is brief, less than 90 days for some. 

For that reason, let’s keep things simple and realistic. 

Summer before college bucket list – Events & Experiences

When the weather’s nice and hot, the first thing that comes to mind is having fun outdoors. As a recent high school graduate, you’ve accomplished a major goal and are more than likely taking the next step towards your future.

Whether you’re taking a year off to travel, doing an internship, or enrolling in courses for the Fall, take this season to experience life differently while you’re young.  

So, let’s tackle fun! Here’s a list of adventurous items you can add to your once-in-a lifetime summer before college bucket list. 

Attend events and curate experiences that will induce an adrenaline-rush. 

Check out 20 bucket list ideas to do the summer before college for thrill-seekers!

1. Rent a kayak 
2. Skydiving (indoor or outdoor)
3. Mountain biking with a group of friends
4. Go scuba diving
5. Take a road trip
6. Go for a hike in the rocky mountains
7. Canyoning
8. Waterfall jumping (safely!)
9. Whitewater Rafting
10. Make a day-trip to an amusement park
11. Horseback riding tour 
12. Dolphin In-Water Adventure
13. Visit an exclusive museum exhibit
14. Surfing
15. Bungy jump
16. Take part in an ax throwing contest
17. Attend an escape room
18. Rock climbing
19. Take a glamping trip
20. Get tickets to a music festival

You’ll never run out of things to do this summer with the activities above. There will never be a dull moment. Some of these adventures are right in the backyard of your hometown. Keep your adrenaline bucket list safe and budget-friendly!

Summer before college bucket list – Academic Goals

I know, I know. You just got out of school for summer and the last thing you want to think about is cracking open a book. 

You can take a sigh of relief, because I’m sharing some productive, fun items for my goal-friends who want to stay ahead of the game.

1. Create a summer reading list (non-fiction, fiction, or both)
2. Join a book club
3. Take a summer class on-campus
4. Join a camp for first-year college students
5. Get a summer job to build up your resume
6. Take part in an unpaid internship or apprenticeship
7. Volunteer in your neighborhood
8. Job shadow someone in your career field
9. Add your favorite high school teachers to your professional network 
10.  Create a LinkedIn profile

Summer before college bucket list – Dorm Room Prep

Are you staying on campus for your college career or living at home?

Either way, you can still get in the school spirit by decorating your dorm or bedroom and desk at home. 

One of my favorite things about college was showing pride in my school. Sweatshirts, jogging sets, coffee mugs, and swag in my school colors were must-haves.

Trunk parties were a big deal the summer before college. My schedule was jam-packed with going away parties and purchasing dorm room gifts for my high school friends.

It’s a great way to prepare for the dorm life experience, but you can also get dorm room inspiration from social media feeds, videos, and decor themes on Pinterest.

Some simple bucket list ideas for students preparing to live on-campus are:

1. Plan a trunk party
2. Create a dorm-inspo Pinterest vision board
3. Order personalized items from Etsy
4. Start a memory capsule
5. FaceTime your new roommate
6. Put together a gift registry
7. Select a decor theme
8. Develop a dorm room essentials list
9. Take a campus tour (in person or virtually)
10. Attend some on-campus events (if in-state)

Summer before college bucket list – Personal Finance

The cost of college tuition is no joke when you don’t have academic scholarships to cover it. 

You don’t have to be a broke college student. Add increasing your income and personal finance management to the top of your bucket list before college. 

Anyone can prosper as long as they have a plan and an abundant mindset. 

Years ago, most college students relied heavily on their savings, an hourly part-time job, work study, or their parents for financial support.

Now that internet businesses are booming and here to stay, consider generating some online income through a Shopify store, selling crafts and goods on Etsy, creating a YouTube channel, or blogging.

There are lucrative ways to make money online to supplement your lifestyle as a new college student. 

Don’t wait until you are knee deep in credit card debt and can’t afford to stay enrolled. Get your personal finances under control the summer before you go!

1. Complete the FAFSA
2. Apply for a work-study program
3. Open up a bank and savings account
4. Start an online business
5. Outline a budget for each semester
6. Adapt a frugal lifestyle
7. Invest in dividend stocks
8. Apply for scholarships and grants
9. Complete a paid internship opportunity
10. Compile your monthly expenses in a spreadsheet

Summer before college bucket list – Social & Extracurricular Activities

The last summer before college is a celebratory yet sentimental time. There are some people you’ve spent countless hours with in the classroom that you may never see again.

Why not take the summer to reminisce on good times and look forward to what’s ahead?

1. Fireside chats
2. Join a sports team with friends
3. Make a collage of senior photos
4. Start a virtual book club
5. Dine-in at each other’s favorite restaurants
6. Create a group chat to stay in touch
7. Plan a graduation trip out-of-state
8. Follow each other on Instagram and TikTok
9. Take part in a fun group photo shoot
10.  Throw a summer pool party 

You’ll never lose touch with your high school besties with the ideas I’ve shared above!

What is the best thing to do before going to college?

Adequately prepare before the first semester or quarter starts of the new school year. 

Try not to wait until the last minute to get all your ducks in a row. Take care of business first. 

• Schedule an appointment with an academic advisor to register for classes
• Schedule an appointment with your financial counselor
• Start checking things off your dorm room list as soon as possible
• Go on a campus and dorm room tour before school starts
• Make travel plans if you’re moving out of state
• Connect with your roommates
• Get a planner to schedule your classes
• Pick up school supplies and course textbooks
• Build up an emergency fund from a summer job
• Create an academic bucket list 

What do you put on a college bucket list?

Think about some things you’d like to accomplish in the next 4-6 years while you’re enrolled in college. And yes, you can include your time in graduate school, too.

Maybe there are hobbies or interests you wanted to pick up in high school, but they did not offer them at your school or familial obligations got in the way. Add these to your bucket list!

Colleges offer so many resources, free and paid, that there’s nothing you can’t do, get involved with, or learn while there.

I learned two languages in college, took piano lessons and failed, and even got my start in doing volunteer work for various organizations.

Make your bucket list before college and frame it in your dorm room. Whether it’s joining a specific club or interning with a FANG company, throw them on there.

Check out a few of my crazy bucket list ideas for college students below!

• Study abroad
• Become an residential assistant
• Join the Peace Corps
• Take a spring break trip to Mexico
• Perform at homecoming
• Graduate early
• Become a teacher’s assistant
• Graduate with honors
• Throw a party in your dorm room or apartment 
• Lead an organized protest on campus
• Run for campus president

You can also use this as a list of things to do in college to be successful. I mean, getting good grades and attending classes is a given, but building your professional network and meeting new people you’ll know for a lifetime is invaluable. 

One last thing you can include in your bucket list to do before college is following a daily routine that will keep you organized, well-rested, and ready to learn each semester. Grab your copy of the daily routine printable here!