As graduation approaches, I have found myself asking the same question every single day: has time really flown by this fast? It feels strange to look back and realize how many memories have shaped my time at the University of Rochester. Some of my favorite experiences were big campus traditions, while most of them were the moments with friends in libraries or dorms.
Here are my top five experiences that have made my time at URochester so meaningful.
- Out and about in Eastman Quad
Going to school in Upstate New York means cold weather during most of the school year. Because of that, URochester students know how to make the most of every warm day we get. Before the winter season begins, and during those lucky warm days in the spring semester, Eastman Quad becomes one of the best places to be on campus.
You can never go wrong with where you choose to sit in Eastman Quad. A few students gather on the second-floor balcony of Rush Rhees Library, soaking up the sun while enjoying views of the quad and the Interfaith Chapel. Most students sit on the grass in the Eastman Quad, hanging out with friends, doing homework, or listening to the carillon bells. Some students take it up a notch by putting up hammocks between the trees and squeezing a quick snooze before class.
For me, Eastman Quad captures one of the best parts of URochester. Ordinary campus places turn meaningful because of the community. It is where simple hi’s and hello’s turn into long afternoons and where a sunny day makes campus feel alive.
- Boar’s Head Dinner
Boar’s Head Dinner is one of those Rochester traditions that feels unreal the first time you experience it. At least that’s how I felt when I attended it in my junior year! Typically held in Douglass Commons, this tradition transforms a multipurpose area into something festive and rich with history. From the whimsical medieval costumes to the a cappella music to the shared meals, I felt like I experienced a whole new world in Rochester.
What makes Boar’s Head special is not just the dinner itself, but the sense of community around it. In my junior year, I decided to be a student host by inviting a staff member who has supported me throughout college. (Shoutout to Juliet Sullivan!) I also celebrated this tradition with my senior friends, creating fun memories with them during their final months of college. This tradition has brought students and staff together during a busy part of the semester and gives everyone a chance to take part in something unique to URochester.
Looking back, Boar’s Head is one of those experiences that reminds you that college is not always about academics, but it is also about the fun traditions that make a campus feel like home.
- Summer in Rochester
My friends who stayed in Rochester during the past summers always hyped up the Rochester summer. As someone from New York City, I never understood why. After all, New York City had always felt like the center of everything to me. That changed last summer when I decided to stay in Rochester before my study abroad semester.
Unlike the school year, Rochester summer is quieter. There are fewer students around, which gave me the chance to experience campus in a different way. Almost every day after work, I explored different parts of the university. I spent a lot of time walking through buildings I rarely visited during the school year and roaming around the engineering quad to learn about the facilities URochester offers. As a political science student, I do not spend much time in the engineering quad, but I discovered labs, classrooms, and study spaces I didn’t know existed.
Summer in Rochester can feel lonely at times, but thankfully, I had several friends who stayed last summer. Together, we got to experience a slower, more peaceful version of campus. Last summer helped me appreciate URochester beyond classes, eboard meetings, and jobs. It reminded me that this place had become more than just my university; it has become a place where I found a second home.
- Dandelion Day
As a former tour guide, I like to describe Dandelion Day as URochester’s “end-of-the-year bash” before finals season. Dandelion Day falls on a (usually) sunny Friday in April. Wilson Quad is filled with carnival rides, live music, and food trucks. It is a great way to celebrate the end of the school year with friends, on a swing ride, and while eating delicious local food.
It is one of the few days when the entire campus seems to pause. People gather with their friends, ride the swings, and enjoy food from local vendors. There is something special about seeing Wilson Quad filled with students celebrating together after a long academic year.
Dandelion Day is fun on its own, but what makes it memorable is the timing. It comes right before the stress of finals, papers, and goodbyes, making it feel like a big milestone of everything students have made it through together.
- Commencement Weekend
This might be a hot take, but witnessing Commencement Weekend as an underclassman is a bittersweet experience. Last May, I attended my friends’ Commencement Ceremony and Departmental Graduations. Seeing my friends in their graduation regalia was exciting, but it reminded me of how quickly time flies at URochester.
Commencement Weekend is full of celebration, but it is an emotional time. I saw my friends reach the end of their undergraduate experience, and I began to imagine what that moment would feel like when it is my turn. It reminded me that college is temporary, even when it feels like it will forever.
Now, as my own graduation approaches, Commencement feels even more meaningful. It represents the friendships, traditions, and growth that have defined my time at URochester. I like to think this is not just an ending, but a chance to look back and recognize how much has happened in four years.
So, has time really flown by? Honestly, yes! When I think about all the memories packed into these years, I also realize how full that time has been. URochester has given me friendships, life lessons, and experiences that I will carry with me long after graduation.