20 Reasons Why You Can’t Wait To Go Back To OU

It was the week after leaving OU for the summer that I moved back into my parents’ house. I was on my way to work, when suddenly, a wave of panic struck me…

“No, no, no!” I shrieked, sifting through my bag. Where is it? WHERE IS IT?!

And then I remembered: I didn’t need my student ID and dorm room key to get back into my house. *Facepalm*

We aren’t even that far into the summer, but we already miss our second home in Athens, Ohio. Keep reading for 20 reasons you can’t wait to go back to OU!

1. Big Mamma’s is calling your name.

Your mouth waters every time you hear the phrase “Chipotle Ranch.” How couldn’t it?

https://www.instagram.com/p/4uZpv8x48m/?tagged=bigmammasburritos

2. Your Bobcat family is scattered across Ohio, the country, or the world.

It’s fun to hang with your old high school buddies, but let’s face it: your real group of friends was formed at the Harvard on the Hocking. Some of them may be near enough to drive over to your place on the weekend, but hey, your OU friends have their own commitments, too!

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3. You dream of Court Street.

Jackie O’s, Pigskin, Red Brick. Brennan’s, Bagel Street, Goodfellas. It’s all there… and you’re someone else.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BE3xIvhrQiF/?tagged=courtstreet

4. The Chai lattes from your Keurig can’t even compare to Donkey’s.

It’s no secret Donkey’s coffee concoctions are among the elite, and their iced, spiced chai latte is perfect for a scorching day.

5. The summer heat makes you crave a Frozen Samoa from Court Street Coffee.

For real. The Frozen Samoa is summertime in chilly caffeine.

6. People don’t judge you for eating chicken and waffles while you’re at OU.

A lot of people (outside of Athens) give you dirty looks when you talk about the miracle that is chicken and waffles. That’s ok, though…more for you!

7. The late night munchies can’t be truly satisfied without the haven that is Union Street Diner.

Deep fried pickles. Macaroni and cheese bites. French toast. Omelettes. Milkshakes. Burgers. USD is the place to be if you’re feeling snackish. And it’s open 24/7, so that’s a huge plus.

8. Having to pay for a gym membership sucks… and the rec centers in your area are probably not as nice as Ping.

Rock climbing, anyone?

9. Your sneakers miss the trails at Stroud’s Run and The Ridges.

Adventuring in Athens is perfect.

10. You feel antsy without your student organizations.

C’mon. You gotta miss your sorority sisters, your editorial team, your service project posse.

11. The convenience of dining hall food is becoming more evident to you.

Sometimes you’re just feeling too lazy to pour a box of macaroni into a pot of boiling water.

12. Your parents aren’t the best of roommates.

Meh. They just don’t get your obsession with Netflix and pizza.

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13. Curfew? Pssshh.

Remember the late nights/early mornings back on campus? In most cases, when you go back home, your ‘rents expect you to be home at a certain time. Ha!

What I Learned by Saying No

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14. You haven’t even unpacked yet.

What’s the point? You’ll be back home, er, to campus in just a few months. Besides, you were planning on wearing the same few t-shirts and shorts on rotation, anyway.

15. Where are the street musicians?

As you walk down the streets of your hometown, you notice something out of place… there’s not a man with guitar in hand at every street corner. How odd.

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16. Watching sports on TV isn’t the same as being in Peden Stadium.

OU? Oh yeah!

17. You’re dying for a bike ride down the Hocking River or a day at the lake.

There’s nothing like a trip down the Hocking or a camp fire at Stroud’s.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BHBg2FJAV3U/?tagged=hockingriver

18. The Union reopened, and you missed it.

The iconic bar is now back in business, and just as lively as ever… but you can only tell that from looking at your pals’ Snapchat stories.

19. Admit it: you sometimes miss the escalators in Baker.

Stairs. Are. Haaaarrrrdddd.

https://www.instagram.com/p/5Zbmq-IsxT/?tagged=bakercenter

20. It’s hOUme.

Athens just has a way of making you fall for it. And you fell hard. But have no fear! You’ll cross paths again.