If you go to Winthrop, you’ve definitely heard of the Winthrop Worms — these pesky little inchworms invade campus during the spring and make everyone who has been walking around campus nervously shake out their hair when they reach their destination.
Bright green, sticky and very large in number, if you’re a Winthrop student, you’re familiar with the worms–and if you’re not, this probably sounds a little crazy to you. That’s okay — not many schools have seasonal pest invasions that are normalized by the whole student body! Whether you’re a freshman who has just seen your first WW or a senior who barely flinches when one lands on your forehead, you’ll be able to relate to these five stages.
Denial
The worms aren’t even that bad, right? As a freshman, when I heard seniors talking about how bad the worms were, I just chuckled awkwardly and stealthily ran my hands over my hair. It couldn’t possibly be an ‘infestation’ like they all say!
Anger
THIS IS NOT NORMAL, WINTHROP. WHAT THE HECK?!?! HOW COULD YOU ENTICE NEW STUDENTS EVERY YEAR WITH YOUR TIGHT-KNIT COMMUNITY, 18 BIG SOUTH SPORTS, AND LOCATION NESTLED RIGHT NEXT TO CHARLOTTE, JUST TO SPRING THESE WORMS ON THEM RIGHT BEFORE FINALS? THE SKY IS RAINING TINY WRIGGLING GREEN SATANS AND I AM N O T OKAY.
Bargaining
I will do anything. Someone take these worms away.
Depression
It literally does not matter what happens to me. I stumbled into a crosswalk today trying to knock a worm off my shoe. I am considering accepting my fate by not leaving my room until the worms leave. Failing a final is not as bad as having one more worm crawling on me. Trees scare me now.
Acceptance
You know what? These ‘lil guys are here to stay, so I might as well make some new friends.