The decision on where to go to college is a hard one for all of us to make. So we spend many hours touring campuses, reading websites, and talking to current or former students to try and get a grip on the best school for ourselves. Well, I may be a bit biased because I’ve known for a long time that I was going to go to WSU, but let me tell you what it is like to be a Washington State University Cougar.

Being a Coug means that you own more red clothing than any other color. It’s not even from choice, it’s from all the free t-shirts you get from events.

Being a Coug means that Cougar Football Saturday is an unofficial holiday. Even if football isn’t your thing, the games are so much fun.

Being a Coug means you can call out “Go Cougs!” almost anywhere and you’ll get a “Go Cougs!” in response.

Being a Coug means that Ferdinand’s ice cream is some of the best ice cream you have ever had in your life.

Being a Coug means that it’s almost necessary for you to bring your whole wardrobe to school because the weather is so wacky here in the Palouse.

Being a Coug means that it feels almost like a sin to wear purple.

Being a Coug means that you have to trudge through so much snow in the winter because school is practically never canceled.

Being a Coug means that knowing the fight song is like second nature.

Being a Coug means that you always use the crosswalk.

Being a Coug means that the fact that the library is 24 hours is a blessing to you and your grades.

Being a Coug means that you understand that no matter what direction you are walking, you are always walking uphill.

Being a Coug means that Cougar calves are so real it is ridiculous.

Being a Coug means that you help everyone that you can because Cougs help Cougs is so much more than just a phrase, it’s a way of life.

Being a Coug means that there is a club/group on campus for anything that you could ever think of and lots of friends to meet in them.

Being a Coug means that 55-degree weather feels like a warm summer day.

Being a Coug means that you are surrounded by so many people and resources that want to see you succeed.

Being a Coug means that you bleed crimson and gray because once you fall in love with this university, there isn’t anything like it.

Being a Coug means that once you are a Coug, you are always a Coug.

All in all, being a Coug is basically like living in a small town full of family. The strength of the Coug community is so unique and it changes you. The only way that can happen, though, is if you dive into it. I’m a firm believer in you get out what you put in, and that is so true for our community. A place like WSU is what you make of it, so go out there and just do you. As always, Go Cougs!