If you have not been able to infer from the surplus of Oregon State-oriented articles that I have written over the past year, I am a pretty big fan of my Beaver community; but it is definitely not just me. If you follow any Oregon State students on social media, you are sure to see reminiscent photos and words of wishing to soon return to our favorite little college town, Corvallis. Maybe this will help you to understand why exactly we are so longing to return to our home away from home:

1. No work night stress

For whatever reason, school nights down in Corvallis never truly feel like school nights. We may somberly anticipate waking up for an 8 am the next day; but I am sure that we can all agree that we would take school nights over the dread of having to get up for work tomorrow.

2. Monroe

It is really becoming an inconvenience to need to drive 6 miles to get my Dutch or Qdoba fix. And it has been especially trying to not have Cheesy Stuffed or American Dream right down the street from me.

3. Three night weekends

Making it to Thursday during the school year is equivalent to making it to Friday during the work weeks at home. Whether you have classes on Friday or not in Corvallis, you know that you will be going out Thursday night.

4. Decorating

Pinterest boards, Bed-Bath-and-Beyond trips, and online shopping have consumed me the past couple of weeks. Even my guy friends are getting excited to have their own space to play around with and make their own - whether they want to verbally admit it or not.

5. Freedom

Moms - we know that you care; but the hourly updates and texts when we arrive safely or waking you up at 2 when we get home can sometimes get to be a little much. Sometimes we just want to come home at 5 am without worrying you.

6. Walking everywhere

As easy as it may seem to complain about having to walk everywhere, we take advantage of the convenience of having almost everything within walking distance. And the number of smiling faces that you run into throughout your walks to classes or to food is enough to brighten the many cloudy days we can count on Oregon providing.

7. All of the nights in, all of the nights out

When I say that there is never a dull moment in Corvallis, that applies both to function nights and nights spent walking to Fro-Yo in sweats (much thanks to Dancing Mike for making those Fro-Yo nights exciting).

8. Classes

Call me crazy, call me a nerd, but I cannot wait to be back indulging in courses that I love, learning about ideas that I have incredible interest in. We are here for school after all, right?

9. Football season

OHHHHHHH-ESSSSSSSS-UUUUUUU - Don't lie, I know that you cannot wait to be back in Reser hearing that echo throughout the stadium. And win or lose, you know what we still do.

10. Living with my closest friends

Instead of being 20 minutes or 20 hours away from my best friends, they will be in the same little house with me, or at least very close by.

11. Beaver community

Because yelling "GO BEAVS" and having numerous confused strangers staring at you really kind of breaks my little orange heart.

Keep your countdowns going friends, we are so close.