Complete with the hashtags #dweeb, #nerd, and #loser, Urban Dictionary defines NARP as a Non-Athletic Regular Person who is “commonly seen trying to perform rather easy or basic athletic tasks but failing miserably at them.” Although St. Mike’s is a place where NARPs have no problem fitting in, there is still that small barrier that distinguishes the students from the student-athletes. Luckily, I live with a student-athlete and dabble in both the “regular” world and the far-off world of athletes. Having an athlete as a roommate is quite the experience and here are a few reasons why!
When she carb loads, you carb load.
Whenever you’re looking for an excuse to eat a full blown pasta dinner complete with bread, extra cheese, and a second helping, it’s always a good idea to check the game schedule. It’s fun to convince your roommate that she needs to fuel up one or two days (depending on my personal preference) before the big game and FEAST at lunch or dinner together!
When she treats herself, you treat yourself.
Likewise, if you can’t live without that big bowl of yumminess on Sundae Sunday and want company to indulge with, remind her of all the hard work she put in over the past week and all that is forecasted in the week ahead. She deserves to spoil herself and obviously needs your moral support.
The smell of sweat is nearly impossible to mask.
No matter what, there is always a sort of sour stench that lingers throughout the room. It always seems to be a mystery as to where it is coming from, but you KNOW something’s in the air that just doesn’t belong. No matter how many air fresheners and squirts of Febreeze you use, you can’t help but cringe when you catch a big whiff every once in awhile.
You have unlimited access to her foam roller and protein powder.
Whenever you decide to stop NARPing around all the time, the wonderful gadgets and gizmos to help with health exercise are at your disposal. Calves are tight from running? Roll that. Wanna bulk up? Snag a scoop of protein. #swole
You’re each other’s personal motivators.
She has limited time to get homework done between class and practice, so more often than not, you’ll spend late nights together. You can’t leave her stressing out on her own, so you have to power through too. There’s always work to be done and it’s simultaneously fun and miserable to chug coffee and crack down.
Her team is your team.
If you’re ever in search of a girl gang or somebody to say hi to, her team is there for you as much as they are for her! It’s always fun to eat meals with the team and catch up on all of the exclusive gossip that NARPs wouldn’t normally hear. By association, I think I’m on the volleyball team.
Unfortunately, you have some lonely weekends.
When she has away games and doesn’t come home for one or two nights of the weekend, you are particularly sad. Sleeping across from an empty bed and having nobody to say goodnight to for multiple nights is just weird. Everyone says “college is one giant sleepover.” Who knew there was an exception…
You double as a student and #1 fan.
That’s right folks! It’s not as simple as student and student-athlete; there are also student-fans!! You love nothing more than getting hyped with her before a big game and can’t wait to yell absurd things from the sideline. When it comes down to it, you’re proud of your little athlete and everything she does! (ily Jord!!!)
Sources:
Image 1: https://media.giphy.com/media/6f7fL4lt9yjiU/giphy.gif
Image 2: https://media.giphy.com/media/rhBJOCB3Nsses/giphy.gif
Image 3: https://i.pinimg.com/originals/fd/65/89/fd658901981041c695cc3f418111e947.gif
Image 4: https://68.media.tumblr.com/387f05ed64caae8bfd1fb5025e336e0b/tumblr_mh5xgk4WpE1s0hia6o1_500.gif
Image 5: https://m.popkey.co/2bc2b5/1xJZX.gif
Image 7: https://media.giphy.com/media/3TqAoBeOAprKU/giphy.gif
Image 8: http://smcathletics.com/sports/wvball/2017-18/releases/20170909p1myjr