Inside the College Tradition Turning 21 Into a Scrapbook of Friendship

Melaina Hesterlee | @melainahesterlee

At first glance, a shot book resembles a scrapbook, featuring colorful pages filled with photos, stickers, and handwritten notes. On college campuses, this tradition has become something much more personal. 

For nearly two decades, students have been crafting shot books as a way to celebrate friends turning twenty-one. Despite the name, it’s not about alcohol. Instead, each page is handmade by friends, tailored to their unique bond, and packed with memories.

“It was honestly the most incredible feeling ever,” senior Evanna Domnic said. “I felt oh-so loved. I value them as a friend, then they also value me as a friend, and I think that is really an emotional feeling.” 

The pages are as individual as the friendships behind them. Some are funny and full of inside jokes, while others are often lean sentimental, showcasing favorite photos and heartfelt notes.

“I think receiving the book from all my friends was super special,” senior Emily Colby said. “It was comprised of a page, a bunch of people I love and love me.” 

It’s not just the finished book that matters. Many students say creating a page for someone else is just as rewarding.

“When I make a page for someone, I really like to put my heart and soul into it,” Domnic said.

For Colby, it’s about preserving memories. 

 “I love making shot book pages. I think it’s so fun to look back at memories, and I think the shot book is a reminder of all that,” Colby said.

Though born as a twenty-first birthday tradition, shot books have grown into something lasting. A keepsake of laughter, milestones, and friendships that carry beyond college years.