It's no secret that I have a thing for the works by J.R.R. Tolkien -- including the movies directed by Peter Jackson. My older brother Nick and I have been watching all six movies on repeat for the past two months, and freaking out on all things Middle-earth. We're asking our parents to get us a Smaug incense burner for Christmas that we'll gladly share. (We want to be our favorite LOTR characters next Halloween, and we're even planning a Tauriel-Kili fan faction.) We're 20-somethings, but total kids at heart. One thing I've realized while re-watching all six films is that the characters depict college kids really well. Here are some of my favorites.
When you take an exam and get that exam grade back.
Don't worry too much if you don't do as good as you would have hoped, or as good as you would have done for another course. Now you know what that professor expects on their exams and you won't be surprised next time!
You're determined to turn your grades around because mama didn't raise a quitter.
Notice a slip in your grades? There's plenty of time and assignments between midterms and the end of the semester to get your average up.
When your roommate surprises you with Insomnia Cookies.
You knew your college paired you with him / her for the right reasons!
When the dining hall turns the sandwich bar into a pasta bar over the summer at student's request.
You all know you would rather have penne pasta and marinara sauce instead of cold cuts.
Looking at your term schedule of 18 credit hours.
I've had to do it, and thousands of other students have too. Contrary to popular belief, 18 credits is doable and it won't kill you like an Orc can.
When you go with friends to a fraternity party and try talking to a senior from North Carolina State University.
While it may be embarrassing at the time, it's a funny story to tell later that you had a little too much to drink and called the guy, "Jake from State Farm," when he was just, "Jake from NC State University."
When the person you've been secretly fantasizing about all term changes their relationship status to "In a Relationship" on Facebook.
Don't let that get you down. There are plenty of other eligible people down at Cup of Joe. But also, how dare they?
When it's the end of sophomore year and you're told to declare your major.
Choosing the degree you'll graduate with can be a stressful decision, since it'll help set you up with your career post-college. If you're unsure, ask your academic advisor to help find what's best for you.
When your best friend buys a Venti-sized Chestnut Praline Latte for you.
Starbucks can get expensive, but it's worth it. However, it always tastes better when the $5 didn't have to come out of your own pocket.
Achieving senior status and facing your final courses, GREs, grad-school applications, entry-level jobs and everything else with your squad.
Your time has come, and graduation is only months away! It's a stressful time, but don't forget that you've got your friends to help you.
Sitting in a course with a professor you've already had four other times.
When you start getting into the core classes for your degree, you'll probably overlap somewhere in your department. You'll find that one professor that just gets you and you know won't mind too much if you skip one day for a much needed LOTR marathon. But good luck if it's a professor you don't like and their name is on your schedule twice.
Grabbing your diploma come graduation in May.
My precious!
