10 unique college traditions that students love

What makes a college tradition unique?

Every school has its own culture, but some go above and beyond with long-standing, quirky, or downright iconic traditions. A unique college tradition is one that makes a school stand out—whether it’s a celebration, prank, or ritual students look forward to year after year.

These 10 unique college traditions are legendary

1. Harvard: Primal scream before finals

At midnight before finals begin, Harvard students open their dorm windows and scream at the top of their lungs. It’s loud, chaotic, and a surprisingly effective stress reliever. It’s like group therapy—only louder.

2. University of Pennsylvania: Toast tossing

At Penn football games, students literally throw toast onto the field after the third quarter. It started as a play on the song “Drink a Highball” and has become a must-do for Quakers. Over 20,000 pieces of toast are tossed each season. Yes, they clean it up.

3. Texas A&M University: Midnight yell practice

Aggie fans don’t just show up to games—they train for them. Thousands of students gather the night before football games for “Midnight Yell,” where they learn chants and cheers. It’s part pep rally, part bonding ritual, all tradition.

4. University of California, Berkeley: Tightwad Hill

Berkeley students (and alumni) have been watching football games from Tightwad Hill—a hill overlooking the stadium—since 1923. Why pay for a ticket when you can see the game for free with a killer view?

5. Florida State University: Burning of the effigy

Before big games, FSU students set fire to an effigy of the opposing team’s mascot. It's intense, symbolic, and definitely one of the more fiery traditions out there. Rivalries, after all, run deep.

6. Carleton College: The annual Schiller prank

At Carleton College, a random bust of the German poet Schiller pops up unexpectedly around campus—held up in windows, worn in parades, or just chilling in the library. It’s passed secretly between students, and spotting it is a kind of rite of passage.

7. MIT: Campus hacks

MIT students have made an art form out of pranking. Over the years, they’ve placed a police car on the dome of a building and turned the Great Dome into R2-D2. Their pranks are genius-level—because of course they are.

8. Texas Tech University: Tortilla toss at kickoff

Texas Tech students have a unique way of starting football games—with a flying tortilla. Since the early ’90s, fans have been tossing tortillas onto the field right after kickoff. No one really knows how it started, but it stuck—and now it’s a signature move for Red Raiders. 

9. University of Wisconsin–Madison: Jump Around

At the start of the fourth quarter during Badger football games, the entire stadium goes wild to the song “Jump Around” by House of Pain. Fans literally bounce in unison, creating one of the most electric atmospheres in college sports. It’s loud, high-energy, and pure school spirit.

10. Wellesley College: Hoop rolling race

Every spring, Wellesley seniors roll hoops down a hill in a race that supposedly predicts their future—first to finish is the first to succeed. The prize? Bragging rights, a tradition trophy, and maybe a glimpse at what’s ahead.

Why college traditions matter

Sure, some of these sound random or even ridiculous. But there’s a reason they stick.

Traditions build a sense of community and connection. When you’re away from home and adjusting to a totally new environment, being part of a campus ritual—even a weird one—can make you feel grounded. It gives you a shared story. Something to laugh about years later.

They also boost school spirit and help students de-stress. There’s something powerful about yelling into the night, tossing toast onto a football field, or seeing a 100-year-old prank carried out with care.

How to find a school with traditions you’ll love

Not every tradition involves fire, food, or late night screams. Some schools have quieter customs—like ringing a bell after passing a big exam or painting a rock before graduation. The best tradition is one that makes you feel like part of the campus culture.

So how do you find the right fit? Scout College Search can help you explore schools based on your vibe, goals, and interests. For a deep dive on finding the right scollege, check out our guide—How to start your college search and find the school for you.

College isn’t just about classes and credits. It’s about the stories you tell, the rituals you join, and the weird, wonderful moments that bond you to your school.

So scream, jump in a lake, roll a hoop, or prank a dome—whatever it is, make it yours. Because those little traditions? They turn into lifelong memories.