Top 5 Best Things about the first week of school

1. Cougfest

Cougfest, which will be held Wednesday, is like the whole WSU campus saying “First humpday! Let’s party!” Good music, lots of people, an excuse to be late for class the next morning ... these are all things I am 100 percent okay with. Add to that impressive roster of reasons to go the fact that the DJ’s name is “DJ Goldfinger,” and you’ve got yourself a night on the town. Oh, and there’s going to be free pizza there.

2. Free T-shirts

I have so many T-shirts from this university that I have a ranking system for pajama tops. This is entirely due to every UREC picnic or event I’ve ever attended. Ran a mile? Here’s a shirt. Brought a water bottle? Here’s a shirt. Ate the hamburger we gave you? Here’s a shirt. Now, don’t think I’m criticizing this in the slightest. If anything, I wish that everyone did that. Had a baby? Here’s a shirt. Stubbed your toe? Here’s a shirt. Ran into an ex and didn’t realize you had a drool line on the whole half side of your face? Here’s a really, really nice shirt. It’s a lot easier to deal with life’s little events when you get a shirt saying that you “Play Green” just for showing up.

3. Free Food

BBQs, meet and greets, potlucks, club meetings ... it seems like every organization is throwing something the first week of school, and generally that something involves as many hamburgers as you can fit into your mouth and down your pants. Who cares if you’re attending an orientation BBQ for the club for Pacific Islander women even though you are not Pacific Islander, or even a woman? You’re full, and that’s all that matters.

4. No Stress

Missed that 8 a.m. class? No problem. 45 minutes late for your lecture? It’s fine. Missed the bus and now are forced to hitchhike home? It’s an adventure. The beginning of the semester has lots of wiggle room for screw-ups and sleeping in galore. This is something to be taken advantage of – especially considering that once midterms roll around you’ll be frustrated and stressed out enough to viciously head-butt a random passerby.

5. Escape from Home

This is mostly a shout out to all of you new Cougars out there. If you’re anything like my little sister, you’ve been itching to leave the nest like crazy for the last few months. Unlike my sister (who is starting her first year at Eastern this fall), you get to escape a whole month earlier than those attending the lesser universities in the area. There’s nothing like the feeling of freedom you get in the first week away from Mommy and Daddy.