Class of 2011, you’ve made it! After four years of starting class no earlier than 10 a.m., staying out way too late on more than a few Wake Wednesdays and swiping your Deacon Card for just about anything you can get your hands on, your remaining college days are running on low. Sounds scary, right? Well, it kind of is. I’m only a junior, and the thought of leaving the Wake Bubble leaves me tossing and turning at night (not kidding).
So what is it about Wake Forest that leaves us secretly wanting to stick around for a couple more years? We know it can’t be the countless all-nighters in the ZSR, the brutal workload or the outdated dorms on the Quad. Although, to be honest, the real world comes with its own set of crazy workloads, decrepit apartments and real money (rather than Monopoly-like Deacon Dollars) . . . It must be the total overhaul in lifestyle that gives soon-to-be grads perpetual butterflies.
Behold, HC’s list of college behavior you won’t be able to get away with after graduation:
Your Flexible Schedule
Remember that awful place called high school where, once upon a time, we all managed to make it to school before 8 a.m. five days a week? Sadly enough, the real world closely resembles that schedule. Say goodbye to your 10 a.m. MWF and 12 p.m. TR start times. Because if you’ve got a job lined up, you’ll be hustling to make it to the office by 8:30 a.m., five days a week. And if you’re one to sleep through the occasional class, you better start learning how to skip the snooze button every morning – I don’t think your boss will appreciate the 10 a.m. office arrival.
1:21 p.m.? Whether you have yet to get out of bed for the day or are taking an afternoon siesta, it’s probably not going to fly in the real world.
The “I just rolled out of bed” Look
You know that 10-minute morning routine you’ve mastered? The brush-teeth-wash-face-go-to-class-in-Nike-shorts move? Unfortunately, your co-workers are probably going to start talking about the stinky new girl in the corner cubicle if you try to pull that one too often next year. Have no fear – there are plenty of ways to speed up your morning routine (check out this HC article!). It might take some adjusting, but looking your best 100% of the time is key in any professional setting.
One more thing you’ll be missing about Wake? Free laundry, done in bulk.
“Sorry I look like a slob today, Boss. Haven’t done laundry in three weeks.”
Pit Swipes
So we’ve all had a few not-so-great meals at the Pit, but I guarantee you’ll be missing those meal swipes when it comes to cooking and paying for your three meals a day after graduation. Deacon Dollars in Benson? Same deal. If you have time at home this summer before moving on to bigger and better things, take the time to find a few staple recipes that you can master before leaving home.
An always tasty meal in the Pit. Sarcasm?
We’re all gonna miss this one after college, when the 9:30 Thursday morning class just seems impossible to attend. Unfortunately, Wake Wednesdays are going to come in short supply in the real world. So if you’re dying to head out for an after-work cocktail hour, make sure you’re willing to keep it together the morning after. This line is not going to cut it at work, and taking a sick day for the sake of recovery isn’t the best way to start pulling from your benefits. The answer? Just remember to keep it classy and go easy on the weeknights.
Yikes. You might coast through at the Pit looking this way on Thursdays, but don’t try it in the office cafeteria any time soon.
Paying for Alcohol? What?!
If you really have your game going in a young-twenty-something bar, you might not have to pay for a drink all night. But what you will be missing is the walk-into-the-open-bar-fraternity-party gig. Realistically, besides a fun BYOB pregame with your girls, once you make it out to a fraternity party, you’re really not going to be forking up too much cash. It’s just kegs and themed-drinks galore. Just be sure to take this into account when you start budgeting for yourself and your weekend bar entertainment. Or start perfecting your flirtatious movesstat!
Any way you spin it, it’s scary to be moving into the real world beyond Wake Forest. My advice? Spend these last two weeks making the most of your college experience. Don’t start skipping 9 a.m. final exams or anything, but live it up and have fun!
To the collegiettes™ of 2011, HC wishes you the best of luck!
*Photography by Lauren Lukascko