For freshmen, the first semester at Oxy is nearly halfway over. Maybe you’ve already planned out all the things you want to achieve while in college- take up internships, do undergraduate research or the U.N. program, apply to study abroad, party as much as possible, and so on.
However, getting settled into the college life can distract you a little from exploring different leisure options on campus or in the surrounding area. Because of Oxy’s location in Los Angeles, there are a myriad of things to do, even though money and transportation can sometimes be an obstacle. Before planning out the rest of your time at Occidental, the Oxy Freshman Year Bucket List offers just a few activities which can only further enhance your freshman experience.
Visit Old Town Pasadena and Glendale Galleria. On weekend nights, Old Town Pasadena bustles with activity. You can find restaurants such as Noodle World, Cheesecake Factory, and the popular frozen yogurt shop 21 Choices then shop at stores like Forever 21, Urban Outfitters, and Barnes & Noble. At the Glendale Galleria, you can go to Macy’s, Nordstrom, Apple, and American Eagle Outfitters. *Editor’s note: Il Teatro on DeLacey in Old Pasadena is a GEM!
Check out Downtown Los Angeles. If you can figure out the whole transportation hurdle, head over to Downtown Los Angeles! In my personal experience, public transport is not as terrible as some people make it out to be, but if you’re going to try it at least once, plan out your trip and don’t go alone. Los Angeles is a fun city in general for exploring restaurants or what vendors/ small shops have in stock, and areas like Chinatown, Little Tokyo, and Olvera Street have much to offer. If you’re not from around here and want to see what L.A. has in store for you, spend a little time immersed in typical tourist activities. *Editor’s note: check out Fashion District for Halloween costumes year-round, fabric by the yard, and all sorts of fun accessories!
Attend dances. Dances on campus include Toga (which is organized by the sorority Alpha Lambda Phi Alpha), Splatter (where people head down to the softball field splattered in paint), Sex on the Beach, and Winter Formal.
Hollywood Bowl. The Hollywood Bowl is an outdoor amphitheater that has served as a concert venue for multiple big-time acts. For one, first-years and professors in California Immigration Semester just attended a Santana concert where the energy of the music and crowd made the experience unforgettable.
Climb Mt. Fiji. Besides the patio by Pauley, you can also view a great sunset over Los Angeles by scaling Mt. Fiji behind Oxy. At this end of the steep hike, you’ll be rewarded with a panoramic view of Downtown, Glendale, Pasadena, and surrounding hill communities like La Canada and Sierra Madre.
Get involved in Dance Production. Dance Production is one of the best-attended annual events at Occidental College. This event is open to students with none to a lifetime of dance experience. By showing up to auditions, choreographers will place you in at least one piece.
In general, get involved on campus. Clubs provide a great way to meet people and participate in the community inside and outside of Oxy. Join clubs that cater to your interests or are completely outside of your comfort zone. We have everything from community service clubs to cultural alliances to Quidditch, so don’t pass up these opportunities to check them out. Freshmen also have a chance to get involved in Greek life during spring recruitment!
Go to the beach. Set aside a whole-day excursion to Santa Monica, Manhattan Beach, or Venice Beach if you’re craving for a day of picnics, volleyball games, cooling down in the waves, sunbathing, and shopping.
Eat at the taco truck on York Boulevard. As you can see from some of the previous items on this list, there’s a lot of great food in Los Angeles. If you’ve never had an authentic taco, you might want to order several of them, depending on how hungry you are. People are often surprised by the smaller size of the traditional taco!
Local Eagle Rock eateries! Eagle Rock may not seem like the most exciting area in all of Los Angeles, but the fun is in searching for the hidden gems. Auntie Em’s, Spitz, Swork’s Coffee, and Senor Fish are popular among Oxy students, and not only for the student discounts. *Editor’s note: Thai Eagle Rox and Capri are within walking distance and are delicious too!
What did you think? Have you checked any of these off your bucket list yet? What have you not done yet? Anything you’d add to the list? Comment below and let us know!
Image Credit: ScottM9000 on Flickr