College is a time for learning, growth, and creating memories that will last a lifetime. One aspect of college life that often gets overlooked is the unique and often quirky traditions that students uphold year after year. From bizarre rituals to wacky events, these traditions are what make each college experience truly unique. Here are 14 of the quirkiest college traditions from around the world.
1. Naked Quad Run – Every year at Dartmouth College, students strip down to their birthday suits and run laps around the school’s central quad in the dead of winter. This tradition dates back to the 1970s and is seen as a way to relieve stress before final exams.
2. Tree-sitting – At the University of California, Berkeley, students have been known to participate in tree-sitting protests, where they climb up trees on campus and refuse to come down until their demands are met. This tradition has been a form of peaceful protest on campus for years.
3. Foam Sword Friday – At Carleton College in Minnesota, students participate in a weekly tradition where they battle it out with foam swords on the campus lawn. This quirky event is a fun way for students to blow off steam and engage in some friendly competition.
4. Undie Run – At the University of Colorado, Boulder, students strip down to their underwear and run through the campus streets to celebrate the end of the school year. This tradition is a lighthearted way for students to let loose and have some fun before summer break.
5. Primal Scream – At Harvard University, students participate in a tradition called Primal Scream, where they gather in the school’s main yard at midnight before final exams and scream to release their stress and anxiety. This bizarre tradition has been going on for decades and is a way for students to come together and support each other during a stressful time.
6. Milkshake Monday – At Boston College, students participate in a weekly tradition called Milkshake Monday, where they gather in the school’s main dining hall to enjoy milkshakes and socialize with friends. This quirky event is a fun way for students to kick off the week and indulge in a delicious treat.
7. Keg Race – At the University of Vermont, students participate in a tradition called the Keg Race, where teams compete in a relay race while carrying a keg of beer. This wacky event is a fun way for students to showcase their athleticism and enjoy some cold brews with friends.
8. Oozefest – At Washington University in St. Louis, students participate in a tradition called Oozefest, where teams compete in a muddy obstacle course to win prizes and bragging rights. This quirky event is a fun way for students to bond with classmates and enjoy some friendly competition.
9. Puddle Jump – At the University of Oregon, students participate in a tradition called the Puddle Jump, where they jump in the school’s iconic fountain to celebrate the end of the school year. This quirky tradition is a rite of passage for students and a way for them to show their school spirit.
10. Midnight Breakfast – At many colleges and universities across the country, students participate in a tradition called Midnight Breakfast, where the school’s dining hall stays open late into the night and serves breakfast to students before final exams. This quirky event is a fun way for students to take a break from studying and enjoy a hot meal with friends.
11. Human vs. Zombies – At Goucher College in Maryland, students participate in a tradition called Humans vs. Zombies, where they engage in a campus-wide game of tag where some students are zombies and others are humans trying to survive. This quirky event is a fun way for students to bond with classmates and enjoy some friendly competition.
12. Mule Day – At Warren Wilson College in North Carolina, students participate in a tradition called Mule Day, where they celebrate the school’s farming heritage with a day of mule-themed games and activities. This quirky event is a fun way for students to learn about the school’s history and engage in some unique traditions.
13. Guinness World Record Attempts – At many colleges and universities around the world, students participate in Guinness World Record attempts to break records and make history. From the largest game of capture the flag to the longest conga line, these quirky events are a fun way for students to come together and make their mark on the world.
14. Nude Olympics – At the University of British Columbia, students participate in a tradition called the Nude Olympics, where they compete in a series of events while in the buff. This quirky event is a fun way for students to embrace their bodies and enjoy some wacky competition with friends.
In conclusion, college traditions are a big part of the student experience and help to create a sense of community and camaraderie on campus. Whether it’s running naked through the quad or battling it out with foam swords, these quirky traditions are what make college life truly unforgettable. So next time you’re on campus, keep an eye out for these unique events and join in on the fun!