A True Blue to-do list for a spirited semester

While the fall semester marks the return to classwork for students —  and a ramp-up in work-work for faculty and staff — being on the UB campus means there’s always something fun or enriching to do outside of the daily grind.

“UB is what you make of it. There are countless options for entertainment, food and socializing on campus. But it all depends on your willingness to try new things,” says Rachel Coley, a third-year communication and psychology major and a True Blue student ambassador.

To help readers make the most of fall and winter — two of the very best seasons on campus (the other very best seasons being spring and summer) — UBNow has compiled suggestions for activities. Of course there are the obvious ones: Bulls football, Homecoming and Family Weekend, the UB Distinguished Speakers Series and the opening of Bulls basketball season. But there’s so much more. Think of this as a handy True Blue to-do list for the “-ber” months.

Go full-on fall. The fall foliage report provides real-time assessment of leaf color conditions for those looking to add some yellow and orange to their blue and white. Explore the many paths in the area with UB Bikeshare, or head out on foot for a quick hike in Letchworth Woods, a living forest right outside of Ellicott Complex certified by the National Wildlife Federation. Want more adventure? Student Engagement has an apple-picking excursion planned and International Student Services is organizing a bus trip to Letchworth State Park.

Spread out. Don’t stick to the same old same old when it comes to campus spaces. Make a point of visiting some of UB’s more off-the-beaten-path spots, whether that’s the GRoW Clean Energy Center, Kanazawa Island, the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences’ Apothecary Museum, the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences’ Brain Museum or the UB Anderson Gallery. Or take advantage of UB events at off-campus venues, such as the UB Music@Hallwalls series, Monday night concerts showcasing the work of UB faculty and student composers, or Scholars@Hallwalls, the Humanities Institute’s monthly series featuring talks by its Faculty Fellows.

Learn a little something. One of the best things about being on a university campus is the abundance of smart people eager to share their knowledge and ideas. There are debates on urban excellence, colloquia on cognitive science and a roundtable on international trade. Catch a quick lecture on the spirited history of the psychic community Lily Dale, the health care professions of tomorrow, intuitive eating or AI in education. Or get into the discussion yourself at one of the Office of Inclusive Excellence’s upcoming Campus Community Conversations.

Winterize. Snow will come — eventually — and many people can’t wait for it. Just ask the members of the Schussmeisters Ski Club, a UB student organization since 1960. For the indoor-enthusiasts, Abbott Library’s Austin Flint Reading Room, the One World Cafe fireplace and the light-filled atriums of the Center for the Arts and the Jacobs School building are all great places to hunker down with a hot beverage. And staying active is never a problem with UB Recreation’s wide assortment of offerings, including intramural sports, fitness classes and much more — 1,000-lb. weight-lifting challenge, anyone?

Find your people. From writing projects to swim lessons to film viewings, some things are better in good company. Opportunities for community building arise in all kinds of ways this semester, including Art in the Open, where guests can meet and mingle with UB’s artmakers, the annual Veterans Day ceremony that pays tribute to UB’s military men and women, and a range of Intercultural and Diversity Center programming that aims to enlighten and connect. Whether you could use tutoring, career coaching or help dealing with workplace stress — Stress? What stress? — the encouragement of your UB peers is like a cozy sweater for the heart and mind.