With April well under way, only a few short weeks separate us from now and the end of school. Fortunately for you, Joe or Jane Student, exams and term papers aren’t the only thing you have to look forward to before your scholastic efforts are done. Pulse has compiled a list of the 10 biggest things you have to do before the end of school to finish this semester with a bang:

1: Veishea

It’s back. Although many students may never have experienced the week-long fun-fest, Veishea is coming in with a bang starting April 17. Be sure not to miss:

Live @ VEISHEA: With a span of genres sure to cater to anyone’s musical palate, the big music event invites acts such as Nappy Roots, Stroke 9 and Cross Canadian Ragweed. Each act will have its own stage and play simultaneously on campus.

VEISHEA Parade: One word – candy. Even if parades aren’t your thing, most everyone has a sweet tooth. The VEISHEA Parade is well known for piles of candies thrown during the event, so bring several garbage bags and marvel at homemade floats, marching bands and a whole lot of horse crap.

Dave Attell: He’s funny and he’s cheap to go see. You and a few thousand of your closest pals can crowd Hilton Coliseum to see the debauchery that is Attell’s stage act.

The food: Food fairs, vendors and countless other niceties will fill your belly for cheap. A worthy substitute to dining services, nothing beats pancakes at midnight.

2: “Mission: Impossible: III”

Tom Cruise is back for more action-packed thrills. Instead of jumping on couches, he’s jumping on the back of speeding trucks and off of exploding bridges. Yes, we know the man isn’t the most popular, but with an all-star cast including Philip Seymour Hoffman, the film is sure to be a visual treat. The film comes to theaters May 5.

3: Bob Dylan in concert

Like a rolling stone, Bob Dylan will grace the Val-Air Ballroom with Merle Haggard on April 21. With a career that has revolutionized music, seeing Dylan is inspiring for those who appreciate music history. Tickets are $125, so if you haven’t donated your kidney yet, it’s time to get going – Dylan is a music icon and his health isn’t looking so hot.

4: John Basedow

The man that made fitness simple may be coming to Iowa State sometime soon. After Basedow’s booking agent contacted the Daily about a possible appearance at Iowa State, it may only be a matter of time before you can witness his glorious pecs. If you’re as excited as we are, let ISU lectures know by sending an e-mail to [email protected].

5: John Vanderslice

The biggest Maintenance Shop concert of the year happens Friday. For a meager $8, students can see John Vanderslice’s critically-acclaimed live performance. The man founded and owns Tiny Telephone, the studio used by many artists from Sub Pop and Barsuk records. Vanderslice’s latest release, “Pixel Revolt,” was universally included in several “Best Albums of 2005” lists.

6: “United 93”

In what is shaping up to be one of this year’s most controversial movies, “United 93” details the events of the Sept. 11 attacks, when United Airlines flight 93 was hijacked by terrorists and crashed in Pennsylvania en route to the White House. The movie is being banned from many New York theaters and has created many “too soon” arguments. The movie is shaping up to be one of the most emotional movies in recent times and is set to come out April 28.

7: New CDs, ahoy

Spring is the time many labels bring out their bigger albums of the year. On April 25 you can expect new albums from the likes of the Goo Goo Dolls, who haven’t released an album in years; LL Cool J, whose “Control Myself” single is tearing up the charts; and Taking Back Sunday, emo pioneers releasing their third album. For those who like something more subdued, Jewel will release her new album May 2.

8: Casting Crowns

Christian worship band Casting Crowns won a Grammy last year for Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album. Led by youth pastor and songwriter Mark Hall, the band has received enormous praise from Christian circles. Using music to spread the love of God, Casting Crowns is coming to Ames with Nicole Nordeman and Josh Bates on April 28.

9: The Doughnut Run

Everybody’s favorite activity – eating Krispy Kreme doughnuts – has finally been incorporated into a means of exercise. The Doughnut Run is a 5k run/walk April 20, in which you have the option of eating doughnuts along the way to reduce your time. The record for most doughnuts consumed during a race is 32. Yum.

10: Nintendo DS Lite

The redesigned version of the original Nintendo DS, the DS Lite is smaller and sleeker, taking a page from Apple’s design book. Not only is the screen significantly brighter, DS Lite looks less like a toy than the original. On top of the aesthetics, the new DS delivers with games that are creative and fun to play. A hit among senior citizens in Japan, “Brain Age: Train Your Brain In Minutes a Day” will be coming to the United States on April 17, and “New Super Mario Bros.” is expected to be released sometime mid-May.