Cheers:

Michiana’s hottest meme Facebook page. Arguably the best thing about 2017, this Facebook page has acquired almost 4,000 members in record time. Why? The Notre Dame administration has provided endless fodder for classic Fr. Jenkins™ memes, Campus Crossroads jokes, and lamentations for restaurants that will never come to campus. Who knew Notre Dame was so memeable? Then again, they did make us take those meme-making lessons in Moreau…

Free Stuff. Because seniors are leaving, there is a surplus of Notre Dame centric objects in the local economy. There are futons, winter boots, bikes, black-market Flex points, squirrel clothes, balaclavas, and even that term paper someone in Dillon wrote freshman year. It may be spring, but to the Notre Dame student, it feels like Christmas.

Darty Season. The sun has deigned to shine on the frozen land of Indiana, and it feels great. After a winter of trying not to die from cold, dehydration in a backyard is exactly what the doctor ordered for Notre Dame students. And, compelling reasons for such social gatherings abound. What do you mean you don’t know what a charity football game has to do with pigs?

Jeers:

Notre Dame Day. Rather than funding clubs with our buckets of tuition money, Notre Dame has constructed a signature non-profit for profit enterprise with disturbing similarity to a Ponzi scheme. Students are generally unbothered, except for the fact that LaFun is off limits for a whole day. A freshman innocently asked, “Does this mean Notre Dame is done fundraising for the year?” Don’t worry, he’ll learn soon enough.

Fisher Regatta. Ah, the annual my-daddy-never-taught-me-how-to-hold-a-screwdriver-and-now-I’m-swimming-in-a-lake fest. Though enormously entertaining, the Fisher Regatta is a hectic time for many students. Imagine, real teamwork, hands-on knowledge, dorm spirit and a large body of water, all in one event! Though the crafts may not be exactly sea-worthy, the time-honored tradition is sure to be a real swim!

End of School Year. With finals fast approaching, the weeks we have left seem bittersweet. How could the seniors consider leaving the comforting womb of Flex Points, dining hall food, and dorm life forever? Can students handle three months without perfectly manicured landscaping? Time can only tell. The SSLPs, ISSLPs and other internships will undoubtedly be amazing experiences, but we all look forward to returning to Notre Dame.

Therese Konopelski is a freshman PLS major whose minors are too wordy to list in any bio, as per usual Notre Dame style. To commiserate, contact her at tkonopel@nd.edu.