College is a time of unprecedented freedoms. We can now eat ice cream for dinner, stay in bed until noon, and now, without the watchful eyes of our parents, prove our freedoms by getting a tattoo. It’s the most common thing college students do in their first year. Whether or not it was a planned event, or a spur of the moment idea with friends, here are some thoughts that might run through your mind.

1. "Will it hurt?"

2. "Where will it look the best on me?"

Should I go ankle? Or shoulder? What about the ribs?

3. "Color or black and white?"

Color would be so beautiful,but black and white has a simple beauty that might work better for a first tattoo.

4. "I am so ready for this!"

After hyping myself up for three days, planning out every drop of ink and going over everything—I. Am. Ready.

5. "Does this look right?"

This will be permeant. I have to be sure...

6. "Yep, looks good."

What am I thinking? Looks perfect.

7. "OK, needles are in place."

The whole thing seems really intimidating, then you add needles...

8. "Ouch! OK, yeah that hurts."

Feels like I am getting snapped with a rubber band.

9. "Oh, I can handle this."

Okay, this is starting to feel better.

10. "Don’t move…Don’t move."

If I move, it could mess up my whole tattoo.

11. "I can't wait to see it finished!"

It looks like it's almost done. This is gonna look so cool finished.

12. "This feels like an eternity."

Shading is taking forever...but perfection isn't speedy.

13. "It’s finally done!"

Time to look at it in the mirror.

14. "Looks badass."

It is stunning, and it's mine.

15. "Ouch! That kinda stings."

Eek, feels like a sunburn...a really bad sunburn, ouch.

16. "Totally Worth It."

It's all bandaged up. I can't believe I got a tattoo, and it's perfect.