M Book
M Book: A guide to the UMD student experience
Get the backstory on university traditions.
From 1916 to 2001, first-year students turned to the M Book to figure out how to register for classes, learn the code of conduct and generally get a handle on the University of Maryland. It fizzled out after all of this information moved online. Now, the M Book is back—with fewer rules and a modern focus. You’ll instead find Maryland’s past, present and future—and your future, too.
Get the backstory on university traditions. Memorize the fight song’s lyrics. Follow real-life advice from recent grads. (Important: Never pass up a free T-shirt.) Take pride in the accomplishments of Terp alums. Become a part of Maryland’s legacy of fearlessness.
The 2025-2026 M Book will be delivered to all first-year students at this year's Welcome to the B1G Show in the Fall semester, an event held during the Department of Residence Life's Fall Welcome weekend or at the First Look Fair on Sept 12 on McKeldin Mall (look for the Alumni Association table).
If you were not able to pick up your M book at either of these events, feel free to stop by the Samuel Riggs IV Alumni Center to pick up your copy during normal business hours (M-F 9am-5pm).
Contact Jessica Lee, the Alumni Association's Director of Engagement & Outreach at jlee1021@umd.edu with questions or to request a plain text version.
The UMD Bucket List
The Bucket List features 20 "must do" action items to complete before you graduate. For every 5 items that you complete, you'll receive a commemorative pin. If you complete all 20, you'll receive a Traditions Keeper medallion to wear at graduation.
We are currently transitioning all UMD Bucket List tracking from Portfolium to Canvas! If you are a current student, faculty or staff member at UMD enrolled in the online tracking system via Portfolium, please read the following updates:
- Starting on Thursday, December 18, you will not be able to login to Portfolium to track your completion of the Bucket List. Instead, users will enroll via a Canvas course. This will allow users to more easily “enroll” and better track your completion of the Bucket List.
- If you’ve already completed items on the Bucket List via Portfolium, don’t worry! Once you enroll in the new UMD Bucket List course via Canvas, we will migrate all existing data and completion from your current Portfolium account into Canvas. We anticipate that the new online tracking system will be live and ready to go by the start of the Spring 2026 semester.
- If you complete any of the Bucket List items after December 18, we recommend that you hold onto your evidence of completion until the Canvas course is live and ready to go. We will notify all users with additional instructions once this occurs.
Thank you in advance for your patience as we work to migrate all of our data directly to our Canvas course. Click below to view more frequently asked questions.
UMD Bucket List
Share your progress with friends on social media using #UMDMBOOK.
Bucket List Completion: Frequently Asked Questions
Prior to December 18, 2025, all Bucket List item tracking was done via an online tracking system on Portfolium. We are currently transitioning all Bucket List tracking from Portfolium to Canvas. Please read more about this transition in "The UMD Bucket List" section above.
Each action item will require something different. For example, in order to complete the the "Get your copy of the M book" item, you will have to upload a photo of yourself with the M Book. Be sure to read the instructions for each item!
While you do not need to complete the items in order, you must complete the 5 items listed under each pin to receive the appropriate pin. You may start with any pin in the pathway!
The Student Alumni Leadership Council (SALC) will host several different pin pick up opportunities around campus throughout the year. For example, we will have table and locations all throughout Homecoming week each year in addition to other opportunities.
Be sure to follow SALC on Instagram to find out when and where to pick up pins! If you cannot make it to a pin pick up, you may also stop by the Samuel Riggs IV Alumni Center during normal business hours (M-Fri 9:30am-4:30pm) to pick up your pin(s).
Congratulations! Once you complete all 20, you are eligible to receive all 4 pins if you haven't already in addition to the Traditions Keeper medallion.
Medallions are handed out every year during Grad Bash, an annual event hosted by the Alumni Association for graduating students. You will be able to pick up your medallion during the semester you graduate.
Three students with their Traditions Keeper medallions, for completing all 20 Bucket List items