1.) Register for classes as soon as possible
You know those wildlife shows with a deer running across the plains being tracked by a hoard of hungry lions? That is pretty similar to how the registration process feels at University of Colorado, Boulder. Registration is done in order of seniority. First the seniors are set loose and all of the really interesting unique electives are snatched up. Then the juniors grab all of the somewhat tolerable electives and really good major classes. The sophomores just generally have to make do and the freshman end up with 8 a.m. classes on their schedule most days. Every second you wait to register is a second in which that class or time slot you really wanted may have disappeared. Pray that your registration time isn’t scheduled when you are in a class or at work.
2.) Attend the UCB vs. CSU game
This rivalry goes way back. Once a year, at the beginning of football season, the UCB Buffaloes have a football game against the CSU (Colorado State University) Rams. There was so much of a hullabaloo about where the game should be held that it eventually ended up at Mile High Stadium where the Broncos play. Way before the game takes place campus will be filled with anti-CSU songs, shirts, and banners. The game is awesome but its best to hit the road quickly afterwards as fights occasionally break out between angry fans. I can personally say that this game is a UCB tradition. When I went our car broke down on the highway and we ended up walking half an hour to the game. Even though my feet hurt it is still one of my favorite memories.
3.) Dodge environmentalists who want you to give them money
They are there, watching you, on every corner of campus! They are environmentalists who will ask you if you have “just a moment to answer a few questions.” Put in your headphones, talk on your cellphone, or invest in a bike because they want 15 to 20 minutes and your credit card info. UCB is known for being a place that loves to be green. Now, I have nothing against protecting the environment, but the sheer number of times they stopped me on campus turned me off from speaking to them. Sometimes three or four of them would take a sidewalk intersection creating an environmentalist barricade. I was also upset when I offered to make a cash donation once and was told that they could only take credit card numbers. Don’t get suckered into it! If you are going to attend University of Colorado Boulder, start forming your evasion strategy today!
If you’re interested in UCB, check out our article on 5 Things I wish I Knew Before Attending.
4.) Take music appreciation class
I know you may be thinking that music appreciation class is a boring, easy “A” elective in which you generally do as little work as possible, but University of Colorado Boulder is different. It isn’t just sitting around listening to CDs of classical music. The professor who taught my class wanted us to participate. She allowed any student who had a band or instrument to perform for the class. She also had a lot of interesting musicians visit. One class we even had a sitar player come in. So grab a coffee and enjoy a free concert twice a week in music appreciation class.
5.) See Ralphie the Buffalo run
He’s big. He’s hairy. He runs at high speeds. I think he might actually be female (apparently male buffaloes are more aggressive). I am talking of course about the UCB mascot; Ralphie the Buffalo. All true “Buffaloes” know the importance of watching Ralphie run. At each football team they blast his theme song and the Ralphie runners (very fast students who double as the buffalo’s handlers) prepare themselves for a sprint. Then, just as the music hits its peak, the gate flies open and Ralphie runs around the field. The crowd yells and the sound is deafening. While they are very fast, a few of Ralphie’s runners and more than a few of their cowboy hats are left behind in the dust wake. It is a one of a kind experience and absolutely something you must see as a UCB student.
Emily Harrah is a freelance translator and interpreter. She received a Bachelor’s degree in English literature from the University of Colorado in 2011.