Connecticut College Icks

Throughout life on the Connecticut College campus, there are plenty of awkward, but extremely relatable, scenarios that we find ourselves in. Affectionately labled “icks,” these are the embarrassing moments that you can’t help but cringe at in your mind as you try to fall asleep. To get over a crush or relationship, we highly recommend picturing that person in these exact Conn situations:

Trying to Avoid the Bees

When I’m trying to enjoy a nice meal with friends and get attacked by a swarm of bees, I feel like an absolute idiot trying to dodge them and then, eventually, running away. And, somehow I feel like no one else around me is experiencing a wasp attack and I am just attracting all of them. 

• Maria Sell ‘23

Unwrapping the Nasal Swab

Twice a week, I find myself holding my phone and wallet in one hand and test tube in the other while trying to grasp the plastic edge of the nasal swab packaging. Usually, the plastic takes me a solid minute to undo, while the rest of the line watches in collective embarrassment, knowing that in a short while they’ll be struggling too. 

• Kendall Foley ‘24

Getting the Chocolate Chip Cookies in the Forbidden Case

I really love Harris’ chocolate chip cookies, which makes it a tragedy that they’re so difficult to attain. The case that holds this “forbidden fruit” makes it completely cringe to get the cookie. After opening the case, your arm becomes swallowed by the weird diagonal angle of the glass. Not only will your weird hunched stance cause discomfort, but you must partake in the game of “tongs vs. cookie”—a battle I have rarely won. I think Harris wants us to watch our sweet tooth, judging how hard they’ve made cookie collecting. 

• Meredith Harper ‘24

Scooping Ice Cream in the Middle of Harris for Sundae Sunday

Sundae Sunday is the only thing that truly helps me combat my inevitable Sunday Scaries. I look forward to the sundae bar in Harris all week long. The only thing that makes Sundae Sunday slightly unenjoyable, is scooping the ice cream. I feel most vulnerable when hunched over the freezer in the middle of Harris, while students are streaming past me as they walk to get their food, and I am struggling to scoop the nearly frozen ice cream into the flimsy plastic container. If you have a crush that you have been trying to get over, picture them scooping ice cream on Sundae Sunday. I guarantee you will never look at them the same again.

• Sarah Hennig ‘24

Swiping Your Camel Card The Wrong Way Repeatedly

After a long day of classes, going to dinner at Harris with friends is one of the best parts of my day. During the dinner rush, though, nothing is more stressful than holding up the line when you swipe your card in the reader the wrong way. The person who is working the entrance will point this out to you, saying “swipe the other way,” so you do, but it still is not correct. It’s always a humbling experience. 

• Lucie Bernheim ‘24

• college life
• cringe
• dining hall
• embarrassing moments