Your first year of college belongs to a category of its own. Between the times you wish you could remember and the ones you try so hard to forget, some experiences are impossible to avoid. Here are five of the most classic freshman firsts.
1. First time riding the 80
Ever played sardines? Riding the 80 is a similar experience and can be traumatizing your first time. When estimating how many can fit, the standard rule of thumb is to come up with the number of people that can coexist comfortably. Then add an extra 50 people (and their excessively oversized backpacks) and you’ve nailed it. Happy cramming!
2. Failing your first test
Ah, good ol’ failure. There’s nothing sweet about this first, but it’s an inevitable reality for the majority of us, and so begins an intense love for generous curves and all things extra credit. Here we have the two part sequence that accompanies every first failure:
1. Denial. *gets test back… 50%*
LOL my prof is such a jokester. I got 500%, not 50! What a guy!
2. Depression. I actually got 50%. I’m a failure. I’m never going to graduate, I’m never going to get a job, I’m going to cry. **cries for two days** My life is in shambles.
(Don’t worry, there’s still hope. You have four more years to fail tests and be concerned about your future!)
3. First time eating Ian’s pizza
Love at first bite. That is all.
4. First time experiencing FOMO
Staying in on a weekend takes a lot of courage, and the first cut is definitely the deepest. The most agonizing stage of FOMO is second-guessing your decision (you can have responsibilities when you’re dead, right?). Don’t worry, though. It gets easier—cue Topper’s delivery and F.R.I.E.N.D.S overdose.
5. First encounter with the lofted bed
Few things are better than climbing into your warm bed after an adventurous (and probably regretful) night out. I, for one, have always had a great relationship with my twin XL. Until I fell off and collapsed to my death for the first time. Now things are complicated between us.
So there you have it, five of the most iconic parts of every Badger’s freshman year. Here’s to another semester of firsts, and to making a home here in Madtown.