At Texas A&M, the Aggie Ring is all you aspire to earn. It is a sign that you have reached senior status by hours, and that you are joining a network of Aggies who will help you, hire you, and praise the work you do all because of that little Aggie gold you have on your hand. We help each other out, and the best and instantly recognizable symbol that will help you stand out in a crowd is that Fightin' Texas Aggie Ring.
The process of getting this ring (not including the coursework it took you to get there) is months long and includes rules and timelines that must be followed with little to no exception. It's a stressful time, but the reward in the end is oh-so-sweet. So today, you will know how it feels to go through that process as I review the thoughts every Aggie has when he or she gets a ring.
1. Am I old enough for this?
90 hours already? Soon I'll have a job and a dog and a mortgage and grandkids. Jeez, Louise.
2. Holy cow, this is expensive.
Thank you, thank you, thank you to my mom and dad who bought my ring for me. I am forever grateful for a lifelong symbol of networking and accomplishments.
3. I get to hold the sign!!!
The second best part of the process besides actually getting your ring is taking your picture by the ring statue after your order. I am 5'4, so you can tell this ring is huge! I had to pick from a hundred photos taken that day, because everything had to be just perfect.
4. It's been three months already?
How is it already September? Time to start a countdown!
5. What am I going to wear?
I haven't bought clothes for myself in bulk since freshman year. What if my judgment is wrong and I have a fashion faux pas? What if the shorts I decide to wear ride up? What if my dress gets a stain? I'll be calling in BFF reinforcements.
6. It's two weeks away, and I still have to figure out my Ring Dunk plans.
Should I dunk at home? Rent out a restaurant? Go to a park? Who all is coming? WHAT DO WE DO FOR FOOD?
7. My parents are coming and I forgot to clean!
My mom will kill me if I planned a party and didn't scrub the shower, dust behind the TV, and rebuild our fence. We can't have people assuming my house has been lived in. Duh.
8. Who can sleep at a time like this?
I am too antsy for this! It's almost time and I just need my ring already.
9. I'm a real Ag!
The Aggie Ring is finally mine! It's a token of family, and whether or not you have yours yet, you are a member of the Aggie family. Welcome home, Ags.