Parents’ Weekend brought our campus much joy and many visiting pets. I spent last weekend parentless, having been adopted by various friends’ parents, and everywhere I went, I ran into another adorable family and thought to myself, If my parents were here, where would we be right now? (Probably not the library cramming for a bio test. Alas.) Even though your parents have left by now, I’ve compiled a helpful list for the next time your parents visit.
5) Lake Campus. Depending on the time of year, of course. But even if it’s 55 degrees out, Lake Campus is gorgeous, and a very important Davidson site. Your parents will be impressed when you swipe your CatCard and the whole fence moves just for you, and then they’ll be amazed at the beauty of Lake Norman. If it’s sunny your whole family can sit on the grassy part and enjoy the off-campus part of campus. Plus, you can reminisce about orientation and tell them all about that awkward first trip to Lake Campus where nobody knew anyone and everyone was equal parts excited and terrified. Such good memories!
4) Your favorite study spot on campus. Be it the library, the union, or Summit, your parents will want to sit there for a few minutes and imagine you hard at work, putting that expensive college tuition to good use. Be careful, though: this past weekend, I sat in the library right next to two parents, who fell asleep on the couches because their kid ditched them. So, word to the wise, don’t do that. Parents look so sad when you abandon them.
3) The bookstore. You want stuff; they want to buy you stuff. Spring for one of those super-soft League sweatshirts — way over my price point, but so comfy. Get a coffee mug or a Christmas ornament or a shot glass. Or all of the above. Parents love buying you things that say “Davidson” on the front, just in case you forget where you are. It’s like a name tag — if you get lost, anyone in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg area can just point you back to Exit 30!
2) Kindred. It’s probably too fancy and/or expensive to justify going with your friends, and it’s got that parent-approved ambience complete with cloth napkins and exposed brick. Plus, it was featured in bougie foodie magazine Bon Appetit! Parents love that kind of thing.
1) Cookout. I know this might sound weird, but if you’re not from ‘round these parts, I guarantee your parents will be delighted to partake in the local fast food experience. Just as parents love to imagine you studying, most of them also love to imagine you having a good ol’ time at college, staying out late and making tipsy (with a sober driver) midnight runs for milkshakes. It reminds them of their idyllic college experience, back in the day. Plus, I mean, Cookout is good. “It’s just like In-n-Out, but with better fries!” my mom gushes every time she visits. (I know. Blasphemy.)