Every Ohio University student can collectively agree that Jeff Hill is like a death sentence. That way-too-steep climb in the middle of the day is just so unnecessary and annoying and should be avoided at all cost. There are also some other unwritten rules and traditions that OU students end up following by the time they graduate. I present to you, The Ten Commandments of Ohio University.
1. Thou Shall Not Pet The Horse Cops Without Permission
Seriously, we all know that one friend who accidentally did this and got arrested. So embarrassing.
2. Thou Shall Always Celebrate The Birthday On Your Fake ID
You act like that person every weekend, so you might as well celebrate the fact that they are the reason you’ve been drinking vodka Redbulls the last two years.
3. Thou Shall Not Say Big Mamma’s Name In Vain
Yeah, you’ll curse it when you realize you don’t remember ordering it last night, but you know you loved it. I’m willing to bet you’ll even miss it when you have a grown-up job someday.
4. Thou Shall Never Miss A 21st Birthday Celebration
Don’t be that person that has to study for a quiz instead of hangout with one of your friends on their 21st birthday. I know they won’t tell you, but they really do appreciate you showing up.
5. Thou Shall Not Judge A Peer By Their Favorite Bar
Now, I know that certain bars always have a certain stigma to them and the same type of people tend to go there, but you shouldn’t jump to a conclusion when someone tells you their favorite bar. Maybe they like the bartenders or the music rather than the other people who hang out at the same bar.
6. Thou Shall Always Help A Freshman Find A Building On Campus
It’s almost adorable seeing the little bobkittens scurry around campus trying to find their classes. The urge to point them in the wrong direction for comedic relief is very tempting, but be a good friend and kindly point them and their lanyard to Morton Hall even though they are already 10 minutes late anyway.
7. Thou Shall Go All Out For Fest Season
I’m not talking about alcohol intake here, I’m talking about apparel. We want to see jerseys and bright colors sprinkled in with all of the OU gear that others will be wearing. Be the guy that wears a fur coat while doing a keg stand in 65 degree weather. There’s always room for you at OU.
8. Thou Shall Know Their Limit
Besides your first semester as a freshman, you should know when to stop drinking before you start blinging someone’s hotline. Nobody wants to be that person who can’t make it out of the house before 9 pm and wakes up with embarrassing text messages.
9. Thou Shall Explore Athens
It’s almost a sin not to go adventuring around Athens in your four or five years here. The Ridges, Stroud’s Run, and Radar Hill are a few among many places that you can explore with your friends. When you need a break from the everyday ebb and flow of college, Athens offers many getaways.
10. Thou Shall Never Root For Miami
We learn about the rivalry as soon as we step on campus. No one really knows why, but for some reason Bobcats don’t like Redhawks. I can’t think of any reason you would want to root for Miami and it should stay that way.