1. "And can you believe it? I got to go to college too."
The thoughts you have when you get your acceptance letter and move in to your dorm.
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2. "Just come back safe to me, do you hear?"
Telling your parents goodbye and them acting like you're actually going to war.
3. "Try not to do anything stupid."
Meeting your RA is like meeting Lt. Dan. They give you all the rules, advice, and forget where you're from.
4. "Now they told us Vietnam [college] was going to be a lot different from the U.S. [high school]...it was."
Teachers in high school tell you it's going to be a lot harder.......They were right. Your older friends said you aren't going to have any free time.....they were right. You told yourself you were going to have so much more freedom...you were right.
5. "Maybe it's just me, but college was very confusing times."
No, it's not just you. College can be very confusing and stressful from loads of studying and homework to dating and making new friends. Time management is a key skill to learn.
6. "Dear God, make me a bird so I can fly far, far, far, away from here"
The prayer you say the morning of your exam.
7. "I am not a smart man."
When you get the exam grade back.
8. "Run, Forrest, Run!"
The daily struggle of wanting to just run away from all your problems, exams, and homework and live like Jenny off the land, floating from place to place. Maybe I can make it to California too.
9. "Jenny went to a college I couldn't go to, but I went and visited her every chance I got."
Visiting friends who went to big SEC schools that you couldn't get into or afford.
10. "We been through every kind of rain there is. Little bitty stingin’ rain … and big ol’ fat rain. Rain that flew in sideways. And sometimes rain even seemed to come straight up from underneath"
Maybe this is just accurate for the University of South Alabama. Yay for living in the rainiest city in the U.S.
11. "I got to see a lot of the country [campus]. We would go on these long walks."
Walking what feels like five miles to campus sure does take some time but you will find beauty all over campus. There is no better way to learn your way around your school than to walk it.
12. "Anyway, like I was sayin', Ramen is the chicken of the dorms. You can barbecue it, boil it, broil it, bake it, saute it. Dey's uh, shrimp ramen, beef ramen, chicken ramen, chili ramen, picante beef ramen, oriental ramen, mushroom ramen, roast beef ramen, pork ramen, roast chicken ramen..... [pauses] That- that's about it."
Ramen noodles will be your new go to food and you will find creative ways to eat it.
13. "Now the really good thing about meeting the president of the United States is the food. but since number one I wasn't hungry but thirsty and number two They was free. I must've drank me about 15 Dr. Pepper's."
Now because you're obviously going to get tired of ramen, you are going to go to any event with free food. SGA events, sexual harassment prevention seminars, club meetings. You will go to them all for the food.
14." Is this your room, Jenny?" "Shhh."
Your roommate will bring people over while you are trying to sleep, probably boys and you will hear things you do not want to hear.
15. "Night time was a lonely time. I would lay in my bunk and miss my momma."
Before you move to college, you don't think you will miss your parents but you will.
16. "Jenny's dream had came true. She was a folk singer."
College life is a broke life. You will do anything for money...maybe not play a guitar naked but almost anything from donating plasma to selling body wraps. You will try anything.
17. "Must be hard being brothers. I wouldn't know."
What you think when you see the Fraternity's pledges out in the 100 degree weather in their pledge attire (blazers, ties and dress shirts, pants, and shoes.) going to class or setting up the tail gaiting tents.
18. "One good thing about Vietnam [college] was there was always something to do, some place to go."
One great thing about living on campus is that there is ALWAYS something to do. Study, football games, going to the Rec center, intramurals, Student Center events. There is always something to do.
19. "Have you given any thought to your future?" "Thought?"
When people ask you what you're going to do after you graduate. I'm just trying to get through this semester. I haven't even thought about what I'm going to eat for dinner. [ramen]
20. "College ran by real fast. "
Before you know it those four, probably more, years will be over.
21. "Can you believe it, after only 5 years, I got a college degree."
Because eventually, you will graduate......but not in four years.
