With the high standards Hawkeyes have, we have a few complaints. In the spirit of Thanksgiving, turn those complaints into thanks with these tips. A Hawkeye should always consider themselves #blessed.
1. The hill
Give thanks for: free exercise
Everyone has gotten on a Cambus just to avoid walking up the hill at least once. Some even factor the hill into how they will plan their class schedule or living arrangements. But you can turn our Old Capitol mountain into a molehill with just a little change of attitude. If you hate being shown up by D1 athletes at the rec, give thanks for the free glute, hammy and calf workout that you receive every time you hustle from the Main Library to Phillips Hall.
2. Iowa State
Give thanks for: how great competitive football games are
Hawkeyes are blessed with passionate fans across the state of Iowa and competitive and thrilling athletic seasons that us non-athletes like to refer to as “tailgate season.” Tailgates, watching the game at a bar or watching with friends and family at home or abroad isn’t nearly as fun without some real competition or rivalry: Iowa State at least brings the rivalry. So thank your Iowa State frenemies for the spirited trash talk and the great game.
3. Moving down in the party school ranking
Give thanks for: our party scene staying just as lit no matter where we are on a list
Moving from number two to number six was a devastating hit to our party animal hearts, but if you look around or even just poke your head out of your door any given evening, you’ll find nothing has changed. Maybe some other schools have upped their turn up, but that doesn’t mean the Hawkeyes have slowed down at all. Give thanks for this and the silver lining: future Hawkeyes parents’ may not be so worried about sending them here.
4. Iowa weather
Give thanks for: an Instagrammable campus every month of the year
Iowans know to bundle up from October to April to brace against the cold, but to keep the tanks and sandals handy even in the middle of January. Mother Nature likes to keep the Midwest on its toes, which usually leaves our toes freezing in sandals in August or sweating in boots in December. Iowa weather is definitely hard to deal with, but the open blue sky, flame-colored autumn leaves, diamond-faceted snow and even stormy clouds over the Pentacrest are worthy of hundreds of Instagram likes. Whatever your #aesthetic, Iowa weather dresses our campus up in the best #ootd every time.
5. Construction
Give thanks for: always improving
Traffic cones and construction equipment have littered our campus for so long, we should add fluorescent orange to our black and gold. Even if the construction adds fifteen minutes to any drive, Hawkeyes can be thankful that the university is always looking to improve our campus. Just look around at what we’ve accomplished so far. Not too shabby, am I right?
6. Protestors and flyer-givers on the T. Anne Cleary Walkway
Give thanks for: your first amendment
Going to a large, public university, Hawkeyes have the opportunity to hear the viewpoints of multiple ideologies and groups. Even if we don’t agree with each other, we should be thankful for the fact that we are exposed to multiple opinions and that we have the chance to decide for ourselves what we’d like to believe. Imagine if those protestors were not allowed to speak their mind: the implications of our freedom of speech being taken away is much scarier than having to hold that flyer until you can find a garbage can out of sight.
7. The new ICON
Give thanks for: … Is there something to be thankful for? Has anyone figured this out yet? Why did we switch? Where is my homework assignment? It was due at noon!
What are you thankful for this Thanksgiving, Hawkeye collegiettes?