The Spire

Viveca Stucke ‘26

Chief Features Editor

As I approach my final semester at Holy Cross, I felt compelled to put together a bucket list for these last months on the Hill. With 115 days left at time of writing this (not that anyone is counting), it felt only right to include it in my final first edition of the paper. Holy Cross is a place defined by abundance, of opportunities, of people, and of moments that shape who we are. The vibrant community invites us to engage with diverse cultures, interests, and experiences in ways that challenge and strengthen the whole person. Through social gatherings, student organizations, classroom conversations, and relationships with faculty, we are given one last chance to fully immerse ourselves in everything this campus has to offer. Whether you’re heading toward a job, grad school, service work, or something still undefined, you will never again exist in a space quite like this, a rare bubble made up of like minded people with the world at their fingertips, supported by countless resources and relationships that will guide us forward. As I reflect on my time here, I wanted to share a list of things I am determined to do before saying goodbye to The Hill. My hope is that it serves not only as a personal checklist, but an invitation to others and a reminder that even as our time here begins to close, there is still so much left to experience. 

• Attend an MSO or RSO event
• Finally try Tavern in the Square
• Go to Cape Week
• Watch the sunrise from the steps of my freshman dorm (full circle moment)
• Take a long nighttime walk around campus with the perfect playlist, letting myself yearn, reflect, and remember.
• Write a thank you note to my freshman self
• Curate the perfect Holy Cross playlist
• Go to Worcester Public Market
• Enter the Exorcism Room 
• Get cookies from the Chaplains at least 5 times
• Finally go to Bagel Wednesday
• Try Acoustic Java
• Wander the campuses of other Worcester colleges
• Go sledding on campus
• See a show at the Palladium
• Attend at least one Holy Cross Theatre Department production
• Go to a Holy Cross sports game 
• Go into Boston at least twice (hopefully once for the Patriots Super Bowl Parade)
• Buy a thank you gift for Dean Paco
• Finally eat at Miss Worcester Diner
• Try the deep fried octopus balls with eel sauce at Feng Asian Bistro
• Go to Bocado Tapas
• Attend Mass at the Chapel
• Make it to at least one talk per month in Rehm
• Cook a big meal in my apartment and invite all my friends over for dinner
• Create a scrapbook of photos from my college years
• Try for a perfect 4.0 semester
• Get Kimball stir fry at least three more times
• Go to two Woo Sox games
• Go to Pub Night as often as possible
• Graduate.

Obviously this list is flexible and can be changed, and each reader can (and should) adapt it based on their own interests, priorities, and even class year. There is still so much available to all of this, and these items reflect what I still hope to experience before my time on Mt. St. James comes to an end. That said, I think there is real value in intentionally naming what you want to do before you leave. Before classes pick up and post grad decisions begin to take over, take the time to create some sort of plan that helps you balance academic responsibilities with the joy and spontaneity that makes this semester so meaningful. It is essential to prioritize the place you are in right now, to meet yourself where you are, and to give yourself permission to seek out as many experiences as you can. Let yourself be present, make a conscious effort to carve out time for what brings you joy, and find meaning in all the small moments. But, above all, make sure you allow yourself to find the joy in the journey. 

Featured image courtesy of College of the Holy Cross