Campus Conversations

You Know You're in College When...

March 2, 2013

Blogger: Lisa Chang

My first realization that I was finally in college hit me during the first night of freshman orientation. The Class of 2016 was invited to a Square Dance, which somehow ended with a fist-pumping, loud-mainstream-music-playing dance just like the ones in high school. Except this time, the lyrics were entirely uncensored, with swear words piercing the air without hesitation. Of course, I had already been used to hearing swear words everywhere, but definitely not in the context of a school dance (my high school made sure to keep the music as clean as possible).I'm not longer in high school, I thought to myself, I. Am. In. College. And that was just the beginning.

You know you're in college when you can buy as many snacks and candies as you want. You know you're in college when you and your friends are so hungry, you can all finish eight sushi rolls under ten minutes (believe me, I've tried). You know you're in college when all your classmates are completely engaged in class because you are all finally learning about the things you all care about. 

You know you're in college when professors and students frequently discuss sexual topics without having even the slightest hint of embarrassment. You know you're in college when people no longer giggle nervously at the word "sex" (thank goodness). You know you're in college when your teachers no longer glare at you for intentionally swearing. And most recently, you know you're in college when you get to enjoy two full hours watching women talk, yell, cuss, and even moan about their vaginas in the phenomenal and eye-opening Vagina Monologues.

I'm glad about that. I'm glad that Oxy students can dig out their questions on taboo subjects and discuss them without having to face any sort of judgment. I'm glad that people can unashamedly talk about things that are so essential and relevant to us all, yet have somehow been excluded from our conversations. I'm glad that we have the opportunities to examine these topics critically, challenging ourselves to question our ways of thinking. And I'm glad I can eat so many sushi rolls, even if it means gaining a few pounds.