In less than two weeks, we will all be getting ready to head back to the happiest place on earth. Nope, not Disney World... Happy Valley. For all of you Penn Staters who are counting down the days until you're reunited with your home away from home, here are 16 reasons to be excited for fall semester at Penn State:
1. HGTV: Penn State Edition.
A beer-stained couch. A tapestry on the wall. An old poster of an even older band. Either you've just walked into an Urban Outfitters or this is your home for the next ten months. You wouldn't want it any other way, though.
2. Reunited and it feels so good.
Returning to Happy Valley means you get to see the people you've been apart from for months. From best friends to fellow club members to neighbors, catching up in an apartment without AC has never seemed so exciting.
3. Get sylly.
You won't have to wait too long for the best week of the semester since it also happens to be the first week. 10 minute introductory classes and no homework means a week of fun for everyone, so get ready for all the Natty, Drake and "Hey, how was your summer?" that you can handle.
4. Get some ranch.
You've spent the whole summer away from the food you love to hate and hate to love, but you now have unlimited access to the one, the only: Canyon Pizza. The only accessory you'll need now for a night out is a $1 bill that you'll lovingly refer to as your "Canyon dollar."
5. No mixing flavors.
It seems backwards to spend the hottest months of the year away from the Creamery, but you should have no problem catching up on all of the Peachy Paterno you missed out on while you were away for the summer.
6. New year, new you, new activities.
With the brand new HUB lawn brings a brand new involvement fair. From intramural sports to media clubs to THON organizations, there is the perfect sign-up sheet out there for you.
7. Yes, they do take Lion Cash and meal points.
That's right, the phrase you had to spend the whole summer unlearning is now relevant again. So go crazy at the HUB salad bar, get the perfect panini from West Wing or even order your favorite soup at Panera, because you are once again gifted with that blue ID card.
8. No filter needed.
Going to a college with one of the most beautiful campuses in the nation has endless perks, including getting the perfect fall picture of your favorite spot on campus (usually Old Main or the Arboretum) for your Instagram. So just sit back and watch those likes and endless comments of heart-eye emojis roll in.
9. Order up some food.
Whether it be Wings Over or Uncle Chen's, DP Dough or Gumby's, get ready to once again have all of your favorite foods at your immediate (ok, maybe a 25-minute wait) disposal.
10. The three C's: Coach, Caroline, and Chicken Baskets.
This football season is set to be anything but uneventful, with the stripe-out game against Temple and the white-out game against Ohio State both happening on home turf. So bring on the pompoms and Blue Band, and get ready to cheer alongside the best student section in the country.
11. Yeezy Season.
Kanye West is set to make his big return to Happy Valley in September, so get ready to spend that weekend feeling #blessed as Yeezus himself brings down the house at the BJC.
12. Do the Can-Can.
With this being one of the last years for canning, everyone will be extra eager to get out there and be a part of Penn State's historic effort to make a difference in the life of children and families affected by pediatric cancer. The only thing better than spending these months fundraising is going to THON and getting to see its true impact.
13. Float on down.
There is no better way to kick off the new school year than with hundreds of clubs and organizations coming together for the Homecoming Parade. The only question is: who will be there this year to top Keegan-Michael Key's appearance as Grand Marshal?
14. Trick-or-Treat Yo' Self.
Halloweekend is one of the most fun, and festive, times of year at Penn State. As the streets of Downtown State College fill up with Spice Girls, professional athletes, and the occasional costumes that need to be explained in order to make sense, get ready to trade in your bag of candy for a weekend (or week) of fun.
15. Don't forget to thank the Academy.
If your dining hall food has turned into home-cooked meals and your five hours of sleep has doubled, the signs are clear—you're on Thanksgiving break, aka the only time during fall semester you're happy to be away from Happy Valley.
16. It's fa-la-la-la-lit.
The holiday season is arguably the best time of the year, and this rings especially true if you're spending it in Happy Valley. With twinkle lights draped across downtown, ugly sweater parties abound, and good friends all around, it's always a wonderful life at Penn State.
See you soon, Penn State!
