Reasons never to graduate include cheap rent, free pizza

As graduation nears and my uncertain future plans become more and more of a reality, I thought it would be appropriate to reflect on my time at Bradley. I started to think about how I will probably never again encounter a time when I will experience so little responsibility and have so much fun.

I’ve compiled a list of reasons I never want to graduate – ever. Not including having no job or known source of income for next year, I managed to think of five things I will miss about college.

1. My parents supported me

Never again will there be a time in my life when I could ask my parents for money, and they’ll just cough it up. Well, it actually wasn’t as easy as it seems, I did have to whine a little, and there was some crying involved.

But my parents have kindly informed me that next year in graduate school, I will be on my own. I have to take out loans in my own name and find a job so I can support myself.

I’m not looking forward to eating Ramen noodles and macaroni and cheese everyday.

2. My rent was $200

I don’t think I’ll ever live in a house for so cheap. Granted it wasn’t the nicest house, but you can’t complain when you’re paying so little.

My rent next year will probably cost me between $800 and $1,000 per month. When I decided to move to Boston for graduate school, I was surprised to find out that I would actually have to cough up some serious dough just to have a place to sleep.

And this year, it was acceptable to live in a house that was literally falling apart. The doors in my house don’t close, the basement is molding and the toilet hasn’t stopped running since I moved in.

But nobody cares.

If I were to live in a house like that in five years, no respectable man would date me and my parents would probably refuse to visit.

3. I can wear sweatpants whenever I want

I don’t think I will really appreciate this concept until I have to dress business casual for the rest of my life. My sweatpants may never see the light of day again after this year, and that is something very disturbing.

I might even have to learn how to iron – scary.

4. Jimmy’s and Gorman’s 

Jimmy’s is the greatest bar on earth. Period.

Nowhere else in the world can you get buzzed for $4 and then eat pretzels and cheese for $1.50. No further explanation needed.

And free pizza Tuesdays at Gorman’s is always the highlight of my week. All I have to say is this: Pickle pizza.

I don’t even want to think about having to cook dinner for myself every Tuesday night for the rest of my life.

5. I could sleep until noon without anyone judging me

I recently found out that people in the real world usually wake up early enough to enjoy a breakfast sandwich from McDonalds. Even on the weekends.

Sleeping until 2 p.m. and staying in my pajamas all day may not be an option next year. I will probably have to get up and do grown up things such as buying kitty litter, shopping for cleaning supplies or whatever else adults do on their days off.

I don’t exactly know what my parents do before noon on the weekends, but I’m pretty sure it’s less than thrilling.