Now, don’t discredit me based on this headline. I am a very serious academic as a member of my school’s dean's list and the First Year Honors Society President. However, at this point in my life, I am tired and would rather hang out with a boyband than write a research paper.

Last week, the boyband “Why Don’t We” was in New York City. So, naturally I had to be there. I spent a solid five days going to concerts and promo events to support, but it was also so relaxing and refreshing. Something about being surrounded and immersed in fan culture truly made me feel more whole.

Concerts have always been a place where I have felt the most welcomed and cared for. Spending my first night at the Why Don’t We Invitation Tour was exhilarating. Not only is the tour lighting and stage design so beautifully constructed and strategically planned, but the overall event was perfect from beginning to end. I fell in love with the vocals and mini-choreography that was performed during the night. Plus, the free light up bracelets that made the show interactive truly made me feel like part of the whole experience. Everyday with the band just grew in intensity and excitement… and most importantly, I wasn’t thinking about finals at all.

Luckily, my time with the band didn’t stop there. Even after two nights of concerts, I had the opportunity to attend their TRL and GMA performances. After the promo events, I was blessed with time to talk to some of the boys and get hugs. Spending time with my idols was such an uplifting experience. I’m so grateful to have had this opportunity. Without it, I truly believe my mind would exploded with frustration at how this math project is coming along. (Yeah, you read that right. A math project… how does one do a project in math?)

But what I really learned was that I feel the most alive when surrounded by my fellow fans. While sometimes fans get a bad wrap for drama (rightfully so, may I add), I still felt less stressed standing in a mob of crazy fangirls than I do right now as I procrastinate studying for my math final.

Quite honestly, Why Don’t We or any boy band would never treat me like this, so…

Even though One Direction may have went on hiatus, I’d still rather be coping with that emotional trauma than make another Quizlet for Economics because at least then I can be a solo 1D groupie .

Do you know that feeling when you’re standing in the center of the pit of a general admission show and the main act comes on stage so everyone starts pushing forward? That’s less stressful than thinking about my political science grade. Tracking the tagged location of celebrities’ posts is more in my skill set than understanding derivatives or how normal distribution works. While I feel like my degree may have more practical uses, my ability to wait hours on end by a stage door to get a glimpse of my idol definitely feels more fulfilling right now.

And listen, when Jack Avery hugged me, he definitely made all that time worth it. While spending that week of time with the boys meant sacrificing prep time for my exams, I wouldn’t trade it for anything. How lucky am I that I get to live in the greatest city on the earth and be so close to my role models? Part of the college experience is taking advantage of once in a lifetime opportunities, and this taste at being a groupie is truly one of those chances. I’m just saying, I should totally be allowed to add it to my resume. Great public relations and communications skills can’t be built with quite the same quality in any other way. (Or at least that’s what I’ll keep telling myself until the day I die.) (Side note: To my future employers, please know that I am responsible even if I do love the occasional boyband.)

To the lovely friends that I have met along the way of my crazy fan journey-- thank you and good luck on your finals as well because I know you’re feeling just as miserable as I am.

I have good news though, the weather is warming up. My dear friends, it is nearly concert season. May the concert gods be with you and may you fulfill your groupie hearts desires.