PC : Nevin George

To say that Rajagiri students dream small would be a lie. To say they dream realistically would also be a lie. The truth lies somewhere in between: a space where half the batch wants to file a patent before graduating, while the other half just wants to pull an all-nighter without crying. Some lists are ambitious—file a patent, represent the college at an intercollegiate event, maybe even become a “little CEO.” Others are simple—pull an all-nighter, explore every corner of campus, or just celebrate a birthday in a way that would get you banned from the hostel if the warden found out. So, when we at The Page released our College Bucket List Survey, the responses came pouring in. From freshers buzzing with excitement to seniors who’ve seen it all, we now have the stats to finally answer: What do students in Rajagiri actually want to do before the big day in convocation robes?

Who Answered the Call?

First-years led the charge with 53.1% of the responses. And because they’re still brimming with hope, energy, and an unshaken belief that they’ll actually attend every event. S7 seniors made up 21.8%, and you can almost hear the sigh in their answers: equal parts nostalgia and “too little time left.” In between, S3 (15.6%) and S5 (9.5%) added a mix of optimism and burnout.

How do students actually spend their time on campus?

When asked how they usually spend their time, the overwhelming choice was hanging out with friends (88.4%). After all, no one looks back at college and says, “Remember that one assignment? Life-changing.” Exploring campus (44.2%) followed, proving that Rajagiri is big enough to always have a corner you haven’t noticed before. Clubs and volunteering (21.8%) and the library (21.8%) tied for the next spot, some students actually use the resources while the rest… well, use the canteen. The “Other” section gave us: “just existing,” “eating snacks,” and the painfully honest “run around doing project work.” Truly, engineering student life summed up in one line.

What counts as the ultimate college memory?

When asked to choose their favorite memories, the most popular response wasn’t fests or trips—it was the pranks and funny batch moments, with 53.1% of students saying these were the highlights of their college years. Turns out, it’s not always the big events, but the little inside jokes and chaotic antics that stick with people the most.

College fests and cultural events (51.7%) came in a close second because when the whole campus lights up, it’s unforgettable. Spontaneous trips with friends (50.3%) came next, the best memories are usually the unplanned ones. 

Late-night group studies were memorable for 27.9%, while 31.3% remembered birthday celebrations on campus just as fondly. Who knew sleepless nights filled with confusion over modules could later become something to smile about? One student put it perfectly: “Every single moment you spend with your friends or your loved ones is special in college. By the time you get to 4th year, people drift apart. Enjoy it while you can.”

Hackathons and competitions had a special place too, with 22.4% voting for them, and 17% said Sports Day or cheering for their teams gave them their best memories. And then, of course, “talks with friends in the canteen” and the simple joy of just sitting together doing nothing.

What’s the one thing everyone has to do before graduating?

The bucket list essentials reveal a lot about what students value. The clear winner was “Do something totally out of my comfort zone” (74.8%). College is one of the last safe spaces to experiment—whether that’s getting on stage, giving a speech, or just saying yes to something you’d usually avoid.

Close behind, 67.3% of students voted for going on one last trip with the batch. Nothing says “college life” like piling into a bus with too many bags, too little money, and way too many inside jokes.

Participating in at least one big event (57.8%) and getting into a club’s execom (42.9%) were also high on the list, students want to leave having been part of something bigger than just classrooms. Performing on stage (40.8%) and spending one last evening at a favourite campus spot (40.8%) tied—reminders that memories are made both in the spotlight and in the quiet corners of campus.

And then came the “other” responses: from the pragmatic “graduate fast” to the ambitious “become buff” and the sentimental “a good farewell party.”

Which bucket list items are students most desperate to tick off?

When it comes to specific items, the top choice was joining or participating in at least one club or society (57.8%). Close behind was pulling an all-nighter with friends (53.1%)—a classic mix of productivity and procrastination that always ends with chaos (and maybe regrets).

Visiting all major campus spots (50.3%) came next—because it doesn’t feel right to graduate without exploring every bit of Rajagiri. After that, students picked taking part in a hackathon, coding competition, or quiz (46.9%), celebrating a birthday in a unique way on campus (43.5%), and attending every single college event (36.7%).

Then came the ambitious goals: filing a patent for a project (31.3%), being part of the student council (25.9%), and even write-ins like “lead the media team” or “go on a trip to the north of India.” For some, the bucket list doubles as a resume checklist. For others, it’s simply about collecting moments worth telling years later.

What personal achievements and legacies actually matter to students?

When it comes to personal achievements, the crowd favorite was networking and making new connections (76.2%). Truth is, half of college is just figuring out who you’ll still be texting in 10 years. Friends who turn into family, seniors who turn into mentors, and juniors who turn into the ones you secretly hope remember you forever.

Close behind was learning a new skill or certification (72.8%), showing how much students value leaving college with something tangible beyond their degree. Then came public speaking (56.5%) and leading a team or committee (55.1%), both terrifying in their own way. One has you sweating under stage lights, the other has you sweating over group members who vanish when deadlines appear. And let’s not forget doing projects beyond the syllabus (51.7%). Sometimes the real learning happens outside the classroom—usually with a laptop at 2 AM and the realization that maybe this wasn’t part of the syllabus for a reason.

But when the conversation shifts from achievements to legacies, the tone changes. An overwhelming 79.6% said they want to be remembered as a fun, friendly batch. Not necessarily the most hardworking or the most “serious,” but the one people will talk about years later with a smile. 50.3% wanted to make academic or project contributions, while 44.9% hoped to inspire juniors to try new things—because part of leaving is making sure someone else picks up where you left off.

Smaller but equally meaningful dreams came through too: 28.6% wanted to create a club or society and 15.6% hoped to contribute to campus beautification. And, in true engineering student fashion, there was also one brutally honest legacy dream: “Pass without back papers.”

Because at the end of the day, whether it’s founding a club, writing a research paper, or just scraping through that one nightmare subject—everyone wants to leave a mark.

And finally… what do seniors think juniors should never miss out on?

The nights that turn into mornings without you realizing. The trips that feel less like vacations and more like a reminder that home can be built anywhere, as long as you’re with the right people. The fests that make your voice hoarse from cheering, and the hackathons that leave you sleep-deprived but strangely proud. The filter coffee runs, the stage moments, the laughter over “patti pani” work that somehow made deadlines feel lighter.

But most of all—don’t miss out on the people. The ones who sit with you through silence. The ones who remember your birthday even when you forgot. The ones who teach you how to dance at Onam, how to survive midsems, how to say yes to life when you’re too afraid. The friends you’d trust with your secrets, the seniors who make the campus feel less scary, the juniors who make it feel alive again. Because years from now, you won’t recall the exam schedules or the assignment rush—but you will remember the warmth of shared chai, the echoes of fests, and the comfort of knowing you weren’t alone in it all.

*The statistics collected are based on multiple answers to the same question.