This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Columbia Barnard chapter.
Welcome, fellow SWUGs,
For those of you who aren’t well-versed in college slang, a SWUG is exactly who I am. A “Senior Washed Up Girl.”
Urban Dictionary actually gives a great example of classic SWUG existence: “I stayed in on Thursday to eat 2 party size bags of doritos in 15 minutes. #SWUGLYFE.”
We SWUGs are tired of the college bullshit and have accepted that sometimes instead of staying out until 4 on Saturday nights, we’re just gonna eat a lot and complain a lot more. However, it is our last semester of college… Which means it’s our last chance to be drunk all the time, push some people around, and celebrate our SWUG-selves.
As we grace the halls of Barnard for our final days of courses, an overwhelming feeling enters the room. Is that excitement and joy filling the air? Do you feel enlightened and aged appropriately like a fine wine?
Well, no. At least I don’t. All I know is that I need a glass of wine (or a bottle) before starting fresh for the last time.
Of course, maybe what I should be thinking about is handing in my thesis… Actually, maybe I should be starting that right now… But what I’m doing instead is reflecting on all of these “final firsts.” Our last first day of class. Our last first time introducing ourselves to our professors. Or our last first time falling in love with a class or subject.
But… More importantly: These finals days mark our last first senior night of the semester. Our last first time standing on line at Mel’s for an egregious amount of time. Our last first time heading to 1020 instead… But then realizing that the line there also sucks. And most memorable: Our last first time calling it a night and going to eat chicken fingers and fries at Toms (instead of continuing to stand on line at various locations).
Goal for the semester: STOP STANDING ON LINE.
Image via giphy.com
But really, I do want to stop standing on line. As a SWUG, I feel appropriately entitled to my seat in Butler, my table in the Diana, my spot in line at Liz’s Place, my standing area in Mel’s (or 1020, or Cannon’s, or whatever I decide, really), and my booth at Tom’s. For all of these final moments here to remain enjoyable, I need all y’all first years to move over and bow down.
Seniors–STAND up and CLAIM your place. This is our last first time to mark our place on this campus. This is the last first time to show that we made an impact here. And even if it’s just taking over some tables at the Diana, GO FOR IT. You deserve it.
SWUG it out friends, and get just a lil’ bossy.