I wouldn't trade my college experience for anything. I still find my way to incorporate talking about Saint Mary's into a conversation in some way, shape, or form--I will forever be obsessed with my school and I have zero shame about it. My time there as an undergraduate is one that I will never take for granted. Coming back as an alumnae, however, there are a few differences present that may be noticeable after the transition from "living" to "visiting."
1. You question how these kids can stay up past 9:00 p.m.
How were we able to leave at 11:30 p.m. and come back at 3:30 a.m. after closing down Finni's or The Backer? I can barely keep my eyes open to watch The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. Also, I'm calling everyone "kids" even though there's only a few years difference between us... am I officially old now?
2. You can't get free handouts anymore on a consistent basis.
No more t-shirts, water bottles, food, or other souvenir items that you get if you attend a game. The only free handouts I see after college are samples from the grocery store and the "Try Me" perfumes from Bath & Body Works. But at least it's the little things in life that you can appreciate, right?
3. The alumnae sticker actually applies now.
Dropping $4.95 and a few tears for a physical label of bittersweet truth that sticks to your vehicle.
4. Your tolerance for adult beverages has REALLY gone down.
Instead of downing several beers to start off game day, all it takes is one mixed drink. Or maybe three incorrectly-made ones of just the mixer... Maybe one day we'll get back to our old glory and be just like Dorothy Farrell, aka the coolest Cubs fan (and that's coming from a Sox fan).
5. "Going out" does not mean hitting up the bars anymore.
Instead of waiting until 11:30 p.m. to leave and have all night to party, the phrase takes on a whole new meaning when you have a list of errands from your parents that need to get taken care of in the next two hours. Challenge accepted, Mom and Dad.
6. "Dressing up" means wearing jeans.
It doesn't matter what goes with jeans. Anything other than sweatpants or leggings is considered fancy.
7. The goodbyes are harder.
Everyone meeting up for a weekend at the place where you all bonded brings back hilarious and incredible memories. However, realizing how fast the time goes by really sucks when you all have return to jobs or graduate school classes and not know when the next reunion will be. Why do we have to be separated by state lines instead of door signs?
8. The reunions are even sweeter.
Taking endless ring pictures, giving/receiving countless hugs, picking up conversations where you last ended them, and walking around campus make you feel as if you never even left. Being back at your home away from home with the best people makes you appreciate how well you had it and how you'll cherish it for a very, very, long time.
