In Aggieland, April showers don’t just bring May flowers — they bring Aggie gold.
Aggie Ring Day, held on April 13 and 14 this spring, is when Texas A&M students who completed 90 hours in the previous semester get their Aggie Ring. While the day of achievement can be joyous and exciting, it can also feel hectic and stressful. Here are 8 things you need to know before getting your Aggie Ring.
1. Reserve a parking spot.
If you’re taking your car and you have a parking pass, you can park in your regular lot. However, if your parents or friends are driving, you should play it safe and pre-pay for a garage spot using the Park Mobile app. A&M will recommend that you park in the West Campus Garage and take the shuttle to the Association, but try parking in the University Center Garage and Gene Stallings Garage first so you can avoid the shuttle situation.
2. Prepare to be in the sun.
Aggie Park is going to be full of parents, grandparents, friends, and students on Ring Day, and there will be limited patches of shade. It is crucial to wear sunscreen and bring water to prevent yourself from getting burned and dehydrated. Bring a bag or a backpack with plenty of water in it, and feel free to toss in a fan in you have one.
3. Keep comfy shoes handy.
If you’re planning on wearing heels or any shoes that might bother you, bring a pair of slip-on shoes to change into. If you end up waiting a long time before getting your ring (I’ll explain below), you’re going to want to be comfortable. Not to mention, you’ll appreciate them when walking the great distance back to your car.
4. Time slots will be running behind.
There’s a good chance you won’t get your ring right on time. If you’re getting your ring in the morning, you’re the exception. By noon, slots tend to be 15-20 minutes behind. For those of you getting your ring in the late afternoon, don’t be surprised If they’re running 20-30 minutes behind.
5. The real experience will happen fast.
Once your group number is called, the actual experience of getting your ring happens very quickly. You’ll walk up the green through the ring, follow the directions for your last name, and arrive at the room your ring is in. Then, they’ll check your ID (bring your student ID and your license!), hand you the magical maroon box, and hurry you out the door.
6. Take a lot of pictures, then take a few more.
Don’t let anyone rush you on the picture-taking experience. Once you have the ring box, I suggest keeping it closed and finding an open area to have someone put it on you. By doing this, you’ll have time to fully embrace the moment and won’t be rushed to put it on inside. While this all happens, be sure you have someone filming and taking pictures. It all happens very fast!
7. Dunk it (or don’t).
If you want to dunk your Aggie Ring, prepare for a fun but grueling experience. Believe it or not, chugging four room-temperature beers is not the most enjoyable thing. Make sure you eat and don’t drink other alcohol before. And if dunking doesn’t sound like your cup of tea, don’t feel like you have to do it. You’ll have a shiny piece of gold to show off either way.
8. It’s a big deal.
Getting your Aggie Ring is a big deal (only if you want it to be of course). People travel from all over to support their loved ones in getting their Aggie gold. Find a chance to take a step back and remind yourself what your ring represents—then go brag to the whole world about it. Congratulations!
Try to make the most out of getting your Aggie Ring by properly preparing for the once-in-a-lifetime experience. You can find more about the Aggie Ring and Aggie Ring Day here.