Senioritis. We're either feeling it, or listening to others talk about feeling it. Those days when the tests and the homework and the all-nighters finally end. And the group projects. The final end of group projects.
I'm a fifth-year. So watching all my friends graduate last year has allowed me to spend this victory lap thinking about the things I'll miss more than the things I can't wait to get rid of. Basically this leaves me dwelling on the one thing I won't ever be able to have back: football season as a student.
As a proud Ole Miss Rebel (no matter what our record), there's a lot to be missed. So sit back, relax, and let's take a walk down memory lane of a Saturday in the 'Sip, shall we? Cue the waterworks.
1. Trashcan Friday
Well this one's just obvious. But who would've guessed so much joy could come from seeing red and blue trashcans all over the Grove, or Porta Potties everywhere, or giant "DO NOT PARK HERE" signs on basically every inch of campus? 'Tis the eve of greatness, folks!
2. Seeing "old people" in the bar
When you're in the SEC (so the South), every weekend there's a football game is like its own holiday. The locals sometimes come out from hiding, but more importantly, parents come to town. In a town like Oxford, that means you're going to see them at the bar, alongside their kids. Alright! You do you, guys!
3. The first home game of the season
HECK YES! I got my cute white outfit. I went a whole year without the student body there to back me up when I yelled HOTTY TODDY. Today is finally the day!! Let's all take pictures the second we walk in the stadium, because in about thirty minutes we'll be sweating profusely and leave. BUT FIRST GAME, LET'S DO THIS.
4. Rallying through a morning game
Maybe you aren't even hungover, but that 11 o'clock game is about to hit you. Hard. But nonetheless, GO REBS!
5. Buying everything in red or blue
I actually just got to the point where I really started thinking about where I'm going to wear this miniskirt again once I'm an "adult," or what people might think when they see I have a wardrobe full of red and blue, then I remembered, I don't care! Because everyone looks great in red or blue. Seriously everyone. So thank you Ole Miss, for picking such a solid color palette.
6. Taking ridiculous amounts of pictures inside the Vaught.
And there you are, frantically deleting apps you don't need (yeah, I'll
just redownload Netflix and HBOGO later) to make room for the insane
amount of pictures you simply MUST take with your besties. 1. Everyone
looks fantastic. 2. Vaught-Hemingway is beautiful.
7. Guessing who's going to start the Hotty Toddy chant
Few things bring me more joy than screaming the Hotty Toddy chant at the top of my lungs, surrounded by an entire stadium to back me up. One of my favorite parts of the game is finding out who's going to yell ARE YOU READY at us. (One time I had several friends who were convinced it would be Drake. It was an exciting few minutes of delusion for us.)
8. Screaming I AM AN OLE MISS REBEL.
If there's anything that gets students as hyped as ever, it's watching a totally awesome video of insane tackles and touchdowns, fueled by loud, intense music, with your football players looking 100 percent badass. What's better? At the end of that video, a football player is going to yell "I AM AN OLE MISS REBEL," and the entire student section is going to yell it with him like we're going into battle (because we are). *goosebumps*
9. Locking the Vaught
Another one that's just obvious. The strangers next to you... what strangers next to you? Oh we gonna lock this Vaught!
10. Alabama Hate Week
We all know it happens. We aren't the only school to celebrate it. It's just a thing. I just like it for the creative ways people decide to express their hate (aka creative bedsheets hanging from their houses).
11. Dressing for a game like I'm going to the club
Is it 50 degrees outside? Yes. Will I wear a tank top and miniskirt? Yes. (Don't worry, mom, I put on a cardigan.) All in the name of fashion. And we're all in this together! I've got my love (for the Rebs) to keep me warm.
12. Sneaking someone in the student gate
Is there really anything more exhilarating than going in through the student gate with Blonde Becky's ID, when you're actually Brunette Barbara? Just show your extreme excitement to be in this A+ student section, and you're golden.
Here's to you Ole Miss football season. May your red pom poms wave, your hidden flasks stay thirst-quenching, and your tailgating stay arguably the best in the nation. (And let's try to win some more games next year.) GO REBS!
