When it comes down to college and education, I am so thankful that I attend Washington State University. Growing up in a small town, I couldn't wait to get out and meet other people and experience a greater, larger community. Who would've known that I would be the happiest I've ever been when I am in Pullman, WA. At WSU, I have found the women I can call at any time of the day and know they are there for me. These are the ten biggest reasons I cannot wait to get back this fall.
1. Laughing with the girls
In my small town, I was friends with upperclassmen, and once they left, I joined running start so I wasn't at the high school a lot. When I graduated and went to college, I met some of my very best friends; we would stay up all night studying or making mac and cheese in the dorms. Eating together in the dining halls, I was usually always with a girlfriend, and we were always laughing together about stupid, funny things. My big the first semester always made me laugh with her funny sense of humor and our love for all things Disney.
2. CFS
Cougar Football Saturday! From the beginning of September 'till the end of November, Saturdays are STRICTLY for football games. From tailgating at 8 AM till 11 PM, it's non-stop busyness. Everyone throws on Cougar-themed everything. All the alum come from all over Washington State and even out of state! CFS is practically a holiday in Pullman.
3. Greek family
My Greek family was much bigger when I was a freshman, but over time women leave for financial reasons or for personal reasons, so my family has shrunk quite a bit. This year my big graduated, so I won't see her unfortunately at school anymore, but I still have my little and my twin! I am so excited to see my Greek fam grow this fall!
4. Concerts
Once I committed to college I knew there were sporting events and such, but I didn't know about the concerts! Growing up I was always into music, and when I was in second grade I went to my first concert, Hilary Duff. I had so much fun that a few years later I went to another concert. The first concert I saw when I was a freshman was Khalid, yes the very famous singer from El Paso. When I heard his song 'Location' I was instantly hooked! I listened to his first album over and over leading up to the concert because it had just been released a week before. Little did I know he would become the sensation he is now! To make it even better, the ticket was under $5!
5. Walmart runs
Running to Walmart at 2 AM is pretty much a weekly occurrence, if not more than just weekly. One time I went to Walmart three times in one day. What usually happens when you have a car in a college town is your closest and sometimes not so closest friends ask for rides to Walmart because that's really the only shopping place if you need more than groceries. I have never been a fan of Walmart, but in Pullman, there isn't much of an option, unfortunately. But if I ever need food, I always shop at Safeway!
6. Staying out late, no questions asked
The beauty of being in college is doing whatever I want, whenever I want. If I want to order pizza at 3 AM, then I'll do so. If I want to stay out all night, that's on me. At home, there isn't much to do but work and help out around the house. But once I get back to school, I can be out all night with the girls hanging out at a fraternity or going to a movie late at night.
7. Tin Tans
The only true way to know if you actually went to WSU is if you have eaten at Tin Tans. It is hands down the best place to get Mexican food. Not like enchiladas or nachos, but massive burritos and the best little tacos. Being from Yakima Valley, when I'm in Pullman there isn't the same kind of Mexican food there, or so I thought! I was out one night on Greek row and was with some friends and we were hungry so we stopped at Adams Mall and my life was never the same from then on!
8. Sleeping in 'till 12PM
Since I stay out late, sometimes I have to sleep in to make up for it, right?! When I'm at home, sleeping in is hard to do, unless my parents are out of the house. At school, if I don't set an alarm clock I'm more than likely to sleep in until about noon, get up, have lunch, and go from there. That's the beauty of living out of my parent's house during the school year. But when I come home for breaks, I'm back to getting up at 10 AM or earlier, which really messes up my sleep schedule!
9. The women who motivate me
Being in a sorority has given me a core group of friends in my life in a time when I needed them the most! These women motivate me every day to be a better person and a better sister. I am an only child, so when I joined a sorority my freshman year I gained 167 sisters, which was a bit overwhelming at first! My sorority helped guide me, making sure my grades were held accountable, giving back to the community, and recruiting women better than us to help our chapter prosper. I am so excited to get back to Pullman and watch my chapter grown with more strong, young women.
10. Dutch Bros
In the Yakima Valley where I'm from, there are two Dutch Bros coffee stands, which are easy to become addicted to! I have never had a bad drink from Dutch Bros, and if I had one I would just ask them to remake it and they are more than happy to! They provide great service and great drinks. It was pretty easy to get my friends to join the wagon with me and it gives us an excuse to get out and go have fun.
