*There may be some spoilers for those who have not seen GOT or who have missed some episodes.
We are all ready for it. The suspense is killing us! That’s right, "Game of Thrones" season 6 will be upon us soon enough. Thankfully, season 5 comes out on DVD this month for us fans to replay and dissect every single episode and only speculate the outcomes for some of our favorite characters. Though, how does "Game of Thrones" relate to our college life? Something has to connect us, explaining the real reason why we love the series oh so much.
Well for all the newbies, when you start "Game of Thrones," there is no “pick up on season 3.” Absolutely NOT! You have to start from the beginning. The storyline and Houses (family lineages) will throw you for a loop, much like all the sororities and fraternities available to students. As a freshman, you are trying to be recruited and just like on the series, you’ll find that you will connect better with some Houses over others. Choose wisely, because everyone and everything is fair game in GOT.
Dating! Oh, yes, let’s touch on dating. Some dudes are going with the “good” girl to keep up appearances, but on the one side, the “bad” girl is getting all the goods. Is it right? Haha. No, but it happens. Whether you end up with a bastard son like Eddard Stark or just have a little fun on the side like Cerci or Tyrion Lannister, your decisions have everlasting effects. Plus, we all have that crazy ex that wants to kill you. Though, I doubt she is a smoking hot redhead named Ygritte with a bow and arrow and marksmanship like none other. If so, well, you are probably already dead or just plain lucky.
AC/DC coined the phrase “dirty deeds done dirt cheap,” and there’s college life for you. Yep, the good, the bad, and the ugly, hanky-panky happens and college life is full of it. Place a bunch of young adults in a “box” and you’ve got raging hormones all over the flipping place. We all know that GOT has at least one sex scene on every episode and nudity out the wazoo. Thankfully, students don’t go running across the drill field all birthday-suit and free-willy. Also, don’t leave out the good students, the ones that behave themselves and wait for the right person and the right time. There are those in GOT that are clean, like Sansa Stark for instance. There is always good to counter the bad.
Exams, exams, exams; we all hate them. Unfortunately, however, we all have to battle them. You have the tests you ace and then the ones that you were sure you killed and … just kidding, it killed you. You had the same feeling during the episode “The Red Wedding” with Catelyn and Rob Stark and the “Viper and the Mountain.” (We won’t even go there; you must watch it if you haven’t - and then watch again!) Then we all have that cocky little prick who aces every test 'til that fateful day when they bomb the big one. And the joy and sinister feeling you get in the pit of your stomach is just like when King Joffrey got what he deserved at his wedding celebration!
Without further ado, the men of The Night's Watch! For us UNG students, the Corps of Cadets resembles the honor, bravery, and sacrifice that the Night's Watch represents in the series. They both protect the realm, keep everyone safe, and take a solemn vow to uphold and defend honor, and die if necessary to do what’s right! Without them, we would surely be doomed! Their sacrifice is above all others'.
Finally, we all know it is coming. September is here, the leaves will begin to change and cooler weather will follow. The Farmer’s Almanac for 2015-2016 is predicting colder weather and more snow than normal for the South and Northeast. Yes, you know what I am saying. The Starks have been warning us for years now … WINTER IS COMING! So get some popcorn, make a fire, bundle up, collect some dragon glass, and prepare for the white walkers, because it’s going to be a wild ride and only Game of Thrones can prep us for what is about to come! Quiet in the realm!
