Mark of the Freshman

Like most freshmen, I like to think I’m cooler than that.

You can’t blame us. One year ago we were on top of the high school hierarchy. We were living the dream — prom, graduation, senioritis, college acceptance letters.

So yes, for my first week at college I liked to pretend it wasn’t a big deal that I was suddenly living in a new town, going to a new school, with a new job, far away from friends and family. Nope. No big deal at all. I had everything under control. I sampled the social scene (among other things I sampled), was on-time to all my classes and made friends with some people (and when I say friends, I mean acquaintances who I gravitate to because we mutually sensed how lost we were).

But while at a party the other weekend I was informed that it was “obvious” I was a freshman. Of course, as I am a freshman, I was completely and totally offended and demanded to know why.

The answer?

The lanyard.

Okay, well, technically it isn’t a lanyard. It’s a cupcakes green all-in-one wristlet according to the Vera Bradley Web site, and it was a final parting gift from my parents. This has more significance when you realize that I asked my parents to buy it for me and they said yes. That never happens. Ever. And if it does, then they record it somewhere and six months later tell me I owe them sixty bucks.

It’s true, this wristlet really hasn’t left my wrist since I got to State. I like to think it’s not related to some safety blanket, teddy-bear complex I developed from my earlier years. And I certainly need it. It has my keys, my cell phone, my money, my ID card — essentials I use daily. And it’s nice to walk up to my dorm and simply unlock it rather than dig through my oversized bag for 10 minutes. Or, knowing me, digging through it for a 20, then spilling all the contents out on the nearest horizontal surface.

But now I’ve been called out for toting around such an object, I have a question to answer.

To wristlet, or not to wristlet?

Well, I suppose if the upperclassmen can survive without all their personal info hanging from their neck and chest, I should be able to as well. After all, I am a big kid now. Maybe I can upgrade to a clutch? Or a wallet. Can girls carry wallets?

Or maybe I’ll just graduate with a wristlet tan line on my right arm.