As I sit here and write my last Her Campus article as a freshman at UConn, I am amazed and surprised at how fast the time flew. Everyone always tells you that your four years in college move quickly, so I wanted to do the most I could during my first year of college to build a good foundation. I’ve created a list of the top ten events, activities, and organizations I joined or participated in during my freshman year that made my time fun and exciting while taking many classes and staying academically focused. Let’s take a look at the top 10 things that made my freshman year at UConn worthwhile!
1. Huskython
Photo #1: Jordan, Rebecca, and Bailey having a blast at HuskyTHON 2023!
Coming in at #1, HuskyTHON was, by far, favorite activity I participated in during my freshman year. HuskyTHON is UConn’s 18-hour dance marathon that raises money for Connecticut’s Children’s Hospital. This year we were lucky enough to raise 1.4 million dollars for the kids, and I was able to raise $710 of that total from my own efforts. For my first year, I stayed all 18 hours and danced, played games, ate awesome food, won prizes, and listened to the miracle children’s stories. I was amazed at how emotional the event got towards the last hour when the whole group came together to form a circle of unity before revealing the final total of donations. The tiredness and exhaustion of being up for 18 hours is worth it when you see and hear the impact HuskyTHON has on the children’s lives. I truly felt like I helped out and made a huge difference, and that is the best feeling ever.
2. Basketball Games!
Photo #2: From hometown friends to basketball champs: Maya and Bailey celebrate UConn’s 2023 win!
If you are a past, current, or future UConn student, you probably know that UConn is known for its basketball teams. This year, both the men’s and women’s teams did amazing, and we were lucky enough to have an NCAA Championship brought home by our men’s team. Basketball games at UConn are fun, exciting, and exert an energy of school spirit that cannot be matched. I am now extremely passionate about basketball, a sport I did not even care about before coming to UConn. Now, I keep up with both teams’ stats, players, and go to every game I can.
3. Joining Her Campus UConn
Picture #3: My first feature on Her Campus UConn’s Instagram page!
This next one is a given: joining Her Campus was one of my best decisions coming to college. I remember going to the involvement fair during my second week of college, feeling like I needed to find my place within UConn’s big campus. The first few weeks of college were hard for me; I was uncomfortable, homesick, and overwhelmed with everything college had brought me. Luckily enough, I found Her Campus and tapped into one of my hobbies: writing. Through Her Campus, I was able to meet amazing girls in my chapter, attend fun weekly meetings, buy cute merch, and help other UConn students through my articles. I cannot wait to spend my next three years writing with this amazing organization.
4. Nightlife
Picture #4: Rebecca and Bailey living their best lives at a neon-themed party
When I came to college, I knew I wanted partying to be part of my social life. I was ready to have fun and dance the weekends away, and luckily enough, that is exactly what I did. During my first semester, my friend group went out every weekend, and doing that made us realize how tiring that can sometimes be. The second semester, we took it a little slower, but still had fun getting dressed up and ready for a fun night out. Now that the year is over, we have endless stories of silly nights that we got to spend together.
5. Becoming a Tour Guide
Picture #5: The Lodewick Visitors Center, where the tour guide magic happens!
Tour guiding was another thing I knew I wanted to do coming into college, but did not realize how competitive it is at UConn. I interviewed for the tour guide job in October of 2022, and was almost certain I did not get the job because of how many talented applicants also applied. When I heard back that I had received the position, I was so excited to start. I went through training my first semester, and then went full-tour guide mode in the spring. Giving tours is one of my favorite things to do on campus because I get to talk about my school and how much I love it, while helping high schoolers who are making huge college decisions. If you ever need a tour of UConn, I’m your girl!
6. trips to horsebarn hill
Picture #6: Horsebarn Hill at sunset
This year, I had the pleasure of living in Towers Quadrangle, an all-freshman residence area that is conveniently located next to Horsebarn Hill, our giant hill here on Campus. The hill overlooks all of campus, has cows, and the Dairy Bar is super close — you can catch pretty sunrises and sunsets here if you’re lucky. My friends and I have been on Horsebarn Hill for various events, but my favorites were my birthday celebration and comet spotting. It is a relaxing, beautiful part of campus that makes UConn so special.
7. Taking Advantage of the Rec
Picture #7: Mirror selfie in the UConn Recreation Center
Throughout this year, I made working out a fun activity for myself and am now a consistent gym girl here at UConn. Since the recreation fee is built into tuition, I figured I shouldn’t let my money go to waste, so I take advantage of our beautiful recreational center pretty often. Whether I am hot girl walking on the treadmill, lifting for leg day, or sweating in a cycling class, it is always a fun time at the rec. My mindset about the gym has also changed: no longer is going to the gym a task or a hassle, but an opportunity for me to hang out with my friends, take care of my body, and listen to my favorite jams.
8. UConnic
Picture #8: Trippie Redd performing at UConnic 2023
UConnic is UConn’s spring semester concert that happens every year and features a headlining artist as well as student performers. This year Trippie Redd came, and though I was familiar with some of his music, I prepared and learned more to be ready for the concert. It was an awesome atmosphere that night and is overall a really cool event UConn offers for its students. I can’t wait to see who will headline next year!
9. Winter & Spring Weekend
Picture #9: One Ton Sundae event at UConn during Winter Weekend 2023
SUBOG (Student Union Board of Governors) at UConn is a student-run organization that puts on fun activities for students. During their winter and spring weekends this semester, I have done so many cool things: seen Chris Redd and Sal Vulcano do stand-up comedy, eat free food truck meals from a variety of options, attend a drag show for the first time, and build a sundae from Dairy Bar ice cream on the student union terrace. All of these events were so much fun, and free, and allowed me to connect with the campus even further.
10. Parents Weekend
Picture #10: The Brake family at Parents Weekend!
Every October at UConn is Parents Weekend, and since it was my first, my parents came up to visit me and explore campus. It was my first time seeing them since August, so I was so excited to hug my parents and sister and show them my school. We went to all of my academic buildings, the student union, and took a trip to the bookstore for UConn merch for the whole family. It was so awesome to show them the other half of my life and where I spend my time when I’m not at home.
It’s A Wrap on Freshman Year!
I cannot believe my freshman year is over already. It was an emotional rollercoaster, but so much fun, and I can’t wait for another year here at UConn. But for now, it’s summertime! Until fall, bailgirl signing off.