What is on your bucket list?

By Courtney Swessinger

Many people have a bucket list. They hope to climb a mountain, learn to knit, or even retire some day. For college professors, this list is what they wish their students would do.

Professor Julienne Friday has a bucket list and has completed many of the items on it.
“It depends on what people like,” Friday said. “I happen to like horseback riding, so on my bucket list I wanted to go to Wyoming, Montana, Colorado, South Dakota, Canada and even went horseback riding in Wisconsin twice.”

For her students, she just wants them to be curious and open-minded to new experiences. “You should do stuff when you are young,” Friday said.

For Criminal Justice professor Kristin Pickett, there are numerous things she wants her students to do like  read the book, or on a better note, she wants students to buy the book for class. She wants students to take notes instead of taking pictures of her slideshows. She also stressed that when you email them (professors), don’t write it like a text and don’t forget grammar, spelling, punctuation and professionalism. It is an email to your professor, so be respectful. “Open your eyes and know that you aren’t always right,” Pickett said. “While taking a side is important in issues, learn someone else’s perspective and views too. That’s how you learn and grow.”

According to the website bucketlist.net, “A bucket list is a list of things you want to do before you die. The term comes from the saying ‘kick the bucket.’”

According to The Guardian, “It can be useful to have defined goals, of course, but the lists seem to encourage a strange blend of highly individualized behaviour and conformity, a situation in which everyone is hurtling, alone, towards similar goals.”

Carlos Ruiz, has a basic wish for his students. “I wish my student were more responsive in class,” Ruiz said.

So while students may seem like strange creatures some days. There are many important things that professors would wish them to do.

“Follow your gut and heart,” Pickett said. “College is about learning and exploring. Find the major that you see yourself having a career in; not just a job. My hope is that all students love their career like I do.”