Turns out, cats have college figured out. Aside from the whole litterbox thing, they’re basically us. Although I can’t sleep for 15 hours a day like my cat, there’s a few other things I learned about ECU life – here’s a few of them. Maybe you’ll learn something, too!
1. If food is around, eat it. Cats have this thing about foraging – if someone is eating, they’re right next to you trying to ‘share.’ And that’s something I totally get. It’s not like mom’s fridge is a short walk from the couch anymore, so if there’s free food at your friend’s dorm, a campus event, or the Student Rec Center – by all means, eat as much as you can. No judgment. We’re all in this together.
2. Staring out the window is awesome. I didn’t understand this one until I was studying for my first exam. Then, the outside world started getting super interesting. The trees, random bugs flying by… I couldn’t take my eyes off of all the nature. Then I realized it wasn’t really that, it was how much I hated Statistics. So go on, daydream your heart out as you watch that one little cloud move slowly across the sky. Who knew it could be so fascinating?!
3. People are so cool – until they’re not. My cat has two levels: done with you and so totally done with you. It’s the moment when the party isn’t as happenin’ as it was four hours ago and all you want to do it go home and watch Netflix. Or, even worse, the moment the bar’s resident creepy guy tries to get your number. Time to bounce.
4. Paper is a legitimate pillow. There’s the old joke about cats napping on notebooks and laptops when you’re trying to work, right? Well, I’m down with that kind of life. Only when I got to ECU did I start falling asleep on this stuff. Computers are pretty warm, I’ll admit. Textbooks – not so much, but at least osmosis might take effect.
5. Snow days are one big ‘nope.’ Cats will notoriously put one paw into the snow and retract it in disgust. I did the same thing last winter when ECU turned into a 500-acre ice rink. You know hardly anyone’s going to show up for class, so why bother? Nope, too cold. I’m with my cat on this one – I’ll just stay inside where it’s warm and hope there weren’t any tests that day.