For her spring semester class, The Art of Happiness, University of Delaware student Megan Masterson was challenged to create a project to make her happy. Tasks like exercising more often or shifting one’s outlook on life are examples of past projects, but Masterson had something else in mind. As a senior in her final semester at UD, she decided to tackle the UD bucket list, which is sponsored by the UD Student Alumni Ambassadors. (Full list is below.)

She saw this as an opportunity to create some final memories at UD before graduating. She had already checked off many during her first three years, especially serving as a UD tour guide and an orientation leader. When she embarked on this journey, she had about half of the 43 undergraduate items left.

Eating at Vita Nova, watching a movie at Trabant University Center Theater, attending a non-sporting event and capturing a photo with the mascot YoUDee are just a few examples of the items she checked off this semester. Just about two weeks shy of graduation, Masterson achieved her goal and completed the bucket list.

“I think doing the bucket list was a fun way to kind of wrap up my time,” Masterson said. “Also to be able to reflect on it and say ‘Okay these are the things that I’ve done,’ and remembering those memories.”

To close this experience, Masterson presented on her final chapter to her classmates. She also turned in a written reflection where she shared two takeaways from the project. The first is the importance of the people that completed the list with her and the special relationship she shares with each of them. The second is she realized once again the immense pride she has for her school.  

“This school has granted me a million opportunities and I could not be more grateful,” Masterson wrote. “I have felt happy, welcomed and part of a community each step of the way. Doing this bucket list only connected me more, it also comforted me. I found great comfort in realizing that there is a ‘post grad’ addition to the list. Meaning, my journey with UD is not over.”

Masterson is sad to see the end of her time at UD, but said she is ready for the next step. She will be moving to Washington D.C. to begin a new job with the organization Kids in Need of Defense (Kind). They offer free legal representation to children immigrants and refugees in danger of deportation.

Masterson plans to come back and work on the 17 postgraduate gold items. She said she has no regrets and will forever be a Blue Hen.

The Class of 2018

UDaily asked soon-to-be graduates to share what they’ve completed on the bucket list, favorite memories and advice for the class of 2022. Excerpts from their answers are below.

Ashley Barnett - Marine Science, College of Earth, Ocean, and Environment

“I feel like I’ve been holding back tears all week. I am definitely going to miss walking around campus and having all those different photo ops. I am a Blue Hen Ambassador here. I’ve been giving tours for three years and I just feel like I know this campus like the back of my hand. So, I’m just really going to miss it.”

Joseph Lacovara - Finance, Lerner College of Business and Economics

“One way I’ve grown is the way that I’ve been able to communicate with people that are different from me. I actually was the RA in the International House last year. So, a lot of my residents were international students. I’m a lot better with cross-cultural communication. Then this year, I’m also an RA, but in substance free housing, so a lot of my residents are looking for a college experience aside from substance use. So I’ve definitely developed a lot more relationships with them and it’s definitely helped me apply that to my professional career — to be able to communicate with others that are different from me and find ways to connect with them.”

Erin Papke - Marine Science, College of Earth, Ocean, and Environment

“Say ‘yes’ to things. I know I spent a lot of my freshman year being concerned more about classes and making sure I go to bed on time, instead of experiencing things. So, I think saying yes — if your friend wants to go for that midnight ice cream run — more. So creating memories instead of focusing on — I don’t remember what time I went to bed freshman year, but I remember the events I stayed up for.”

Obichukwu Maduka-Ugwu - Africana Studies, College of Arts and Sciences

“There’s a couple of times this happened, but just sitting and realizing you belong somewhere. Especially being around the black community at UD and being around the Center for Black Culture and having everybody together. That was the first time in a long time. That was when I was a freshman and really felt like I belonged here. I belong among these people. I’m a functioning member of this environment. I contribute a lot to the campus.”

Wenbo Fan - Graduate student of Health Promotion, College of Health Sciences

“Most international students just came here and they’re far away from home and their English is not very good and they feel not that comfortable with themselves. So my advice is to love themselves and focus on themselves and know themselves and know who they are. I think that’s the most important. I think once they figure out that, everything else will fall in line together — with their English, with their academic studies and wellness.”

Rachel Mester - Pre-Veterinary Medicine and Animal Biosciences, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources

“Just be open to new things and new ideas. Just open for anything. Open to try anything because your going to end up sitting in your room if you don’t get out of your room and try any club that you just never thought you’d like, but you like.”

Megan Masterson - International Relations, College of Arts and Sciences

“Exhaust you’re opportunities and don’t sit back. Take advantage because if you actually look there is so so much to do, an overwhelming amount of things to do. So that would be my one piece of advice: push yourself out of your comfort zone and just exhauset your opportunities because that’s how I came to love UD so much and how I became so deeply rooted. It’s my home and my heart.”

UD Bucket Lists

43 Blue Items

1. Visit the kissing arches

2. Find the campus solar system

3. Rub Hugh Morris’ nose

4. Take a picture with YoUDee or Baby Blue

5. Visit UDairy

6. Eat at every dining hall

7. Participate in I Heart UD events

8. Join an organization/Greek life

9. Attend a non-football sports game

10. Attend UDance or Relay for Life

11. Eat at Vita Nova

12. Take a picture with Blue Hen on Laird Campus

13. Go ice skating at Fred Rust Ice Arena

14. See a movie at Trabant Theatre

15. Read The Review or listen to WVUD

16. Decorate your room

17. Climb the rock wall in the Little Bob

18. Attend SCPAB or CPAB concert

19. Visit White Clay Creek

20. Attend Homecoming events

21. Make Dean’s List

22. Picnic on The Green

23. Volunteer or do a UDaB trip

24. Complete Discovery Learning Experience

25. Eat at a food cart

26. Sign your class banner

27. High-five the president or a dean

28. Attend Career Services event/meeting

29. Visit UD Botanic Gardens

30. Dress in blue and gold for a football game

31. Attend Parents and Family Weekend

32. See a guest speaker on campus

33. Visit a campus museum

34. Eat at Newark Deli and Bagels

35. Eat Klondike Kate’s nachos

36. Visit a local coffeehouse

37. See the sunrise/sunset on The Green

38. Play on Harrington Beach

39. Take a fitness or BHAN class

40. Visit steps of Old College

41. Study all night

42. Attend a non-athletic student performance

43. Participate in 1743 Welcome Days

17 Gold Items

1. Attend graduation

2. Attend Alumni Weekend

3. Come back for Homecoming

4. Send thank you note to a professor/advisor

5. Donate to your Senior Class Gift

6. Attend Senior Fling

7. Snap a picture by a campus fountain

8. Sing karaoke with friends

9. Visit The Deer Park Tavern

10. Go on an alumni club trip

11. Volunteer at UD

12. Visit Main Street

13. Decorate your cap/wear a stole

14. Reconnect with a roommate/classmate

15. Reunion with your freshman floor

16. Take a photo with your department building

17. Mentor a Blue Hen