After living under an authoritative roof for the first 18 years of your life, college freshmen tend to say "this is so college". But where does this phrase come from? The stories we hear from old friends and family members that start with the line, "this one time in college" that's usually followed by a bizarre or obscure story, but no one is judged. Why? Because "it was college." Here are some signs that most freshmen can relate to in their first few months of college that makes them muster that phrase.
1. Sleepovers aren't weird!
Sleepovers are a key element of college. You learn very quickly that dorm floors are very cold, especially in Potsdam, New York in October. You also learn to cherish and protect your bed. Yes, it's an extra-long twin-size bed, but why is it even called a twin bed if it barely fits one person? Remember that part in "Yours, Mine, and Ours" where they all try to fit into one bed? Yeah, that's the definition of a Saturday night. Except with textbooks, laptops, headphones and the occasional snort of laughter at 3 a.m.
2. The only form of currency in your life at the moment is your meal plan.
When we get into college and we look into our bank accounts, more often than not, it's usually $0.00. But there isn't any need for 'real' currency when you have a meal plan! We've all gone home or out into the 'real world' and accidentally pulled out our school card. Habit? Lifestyle? The world will never know.
3. There are college students everywhere!
We are everywhere! Walking on the sidewalk at 2:30 in the morning, getting pizza at Little Italy at the most ungodly times-- not to mention playing "Penis" and "Cards Against Humanity" in the quad or in the dorms. But what do you expect when you live in a college town?
4. Group chats are one of your main forms of communication
There is a group chat for everything! The people you go to parties with, your floor mates, friends from your classes, study groups, Halloween costume coordinating groups, etc. They are a thing, now more than ever! Not to mention, we won't be living with this many people any other time in our lives, so why not?
5. Your floor lounge is your unnamed group therapy session
The Lounge, aka Place You Go When You Can't Be In Your Room/Need to Get Work Done/Have A Mental or Emotional Breakdown. We all feel each other's pain, man. No need to ask for a hug, just go in for one (I promise you, even if it's weird, it's still "the right thing to do" in college). No questions asked, just cry. They should really supply a box of tissues in there!
6. Memes about Netflix become 10x more accurate
It's really nothing out of the ordinary to walk into your dorm and seeing handfuls of people on your floor watching The Land Before Time or Pokemon after 2:30 a.m. This actually occurs almost every other night, if not every night.
7. You relate to Animal House on a spiritual level
Let's get real: John Landis knew what the hell he was doing and knew how to pull the heartstrings of college students everywhere! Protip: Watch Animal House pre-college; it'll make you a). a lot more prepared for what your life is about to become b). experienced c). cool
