As a senior in college, it’s been fun to reminisce with my roommates about our four years here, discussing things from becoming friends, to living with each other, to all the monumental moments that have shaped our group. A main point of discussion has been our “group bits.”
These bits and phrases have defined the way we speak and see each other. When we explain them to others, the majority of the time we are told that we are fun and unique and that they wish they had a similar group dynamic.
These bits range from my prediction dreams, where my dreams (most of the time) come true, to one of us turning every moment into a slam poetry event, to raising a baby gnome named Gnorbie together. The biggest bit that came out of these moments was LINT.
LINT is a five-day event, or tragedy depending on who you ask, on the third Monday of March. We give up a bad habit or do a challenge, and if you lose you do a punishment. This all began freshman year in Tower B, where most college memories are made. It was inspired by the Catholic season of Lent, but for a shorter time, hence why the challenges are more extreme. We thought it would be something silly; we clearly did not see it going as far as it has.
The first year was simple: I gave up gossiping (the worst five days of my life), someone gave up social media, others video games, and one of us gave up online shopping. The second year we added the punishment element. One of us gave up talking about Taylor Swift, I had to change my terminology (slay, bestie, etc), one had to clean their room every day, and someone else had to have a healthy sleep schedule. The punishments that year ranged from going to the gym for a week to getting your ears pierced.
As the years progressed, things got harder. Last year, I gave up social media (if you know me, you know this was a brutal battle I almost lost), one friend gave up snacking, and one of them had to cook all their meals. Last year was the first time a punishment was actually executed and, unfortunately, our chef friend failed. Their punishment was to keep track of the NFL ‘24-‘25 Season, and so far they are on top of it.
This year will be our last time doing LINT, and we’re saving the best ones for last. Every single person involved is dreading it, as am I. However, it’s very bittersweet. LINT is one of the moments that brought us together, so having it all end kind of sucks. I’m excited to explain all this when I reminisce on my college life and share stories with my future family. LINT may be five days of hell, but it certainly has created a lifetime of memories.
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