College Experiences I Wish I Could Have One More Time

I sat on the quad today. Almost like a real college student.

It was sunny and 72 degrees so I packed up my book bag and grabbed a beach towel and walked the mile from my house to campus.

Then, I reveled in it.

It’s amazing what a little sun and warm weather can do for your spirit.

I actually haven’t felt like a college student in a really long time. Since class transitioned online due to the spread of COVID-19, we’ve had to miss out on a lot of normal everyday college experiences.

But this day helped remind me that I am indeed a student at THE University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and a senior, at that.

While I lay there and watched other students throw the frisbee I thought about all the other college things I wanted to do again, just one more time.

So many of us experienced “lasts” without even knowing it. Last time sipping from the Old Well on the first day of class. Last time having to rush to buy a blue book before your exam. Last time sitting in a classroom…

I miss banding together with my classmates to convince our professor that we should have class outside on a day like today. We knew we wouldn’t be efficient outside. The professor knew it, too. But they agreed anyway and it would make the day just a little sweeter and it would be something you’d brag to your roommates about later. I want that one more time.

An earlier college memory — but I miss fighting for a table at Lenoir during rush hour. You’d spend more time taking laps than actually eating and when you finally spotted a friendly face who was signaling to you that they were getting ready to leave, was a blessing. I wonder when I ate my last Lenoir burrito bowl? That also goes on my list for what I want one more time.

I also miss becoming friends with the random person you just so happen to sit with on the first day of class or the person who you get partnered with for a project. First, it’s a library meetup to study. Then, you’re getting coffee just to chat after class. College is where you meet your best friends, but it’s easier to do in person. I want that one more time.

Walking through our beautiful campus and passing by some of Carolina icons is also something I miss. Yellow Dude. Whistling Man. Unicycle Girl. Hell, I mean heck, I even miss Gary Birdsong, the Pit Preacher. But, trust me, I could do without that one more time.