According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, the word “feral” is defined as “of, relating to, or resembling a wild beast.” It is often “-used to describe an animal (such as a cat or dog) that has escaped and become wild.” To be honest, I can’t think of a better word to describe college students from 9 p.m. Friday evening to 1 p.m. Sunday afternoon.

For most students, this “feral” period actually starts Friday morning. Sure, you may “go to class,” but that doesn’t mean that your brain is actually retaining any information taught that day. Chances are likely that you’re half asleep, or putting all your attention into texting your friends trying to figure out what the pregame plan is for that evening. Don’t ask anyone what they did in class on a Friday, because nine times out of ten, students are completely checked out – the lights are on but nobody’s home.

By Friday night students have fully morphed into the weekend version of themselves. It’s like living a double life: academic weapon on the weekdays, borderline alcoholic with four functional brain cells on the weekend. All responsibilities, goals and considerations of consequences for any actions go out the window. There is typically little to no recollection of this time during the feral period.

Saturday morning hits and you start to feel the consequences of last night’s actions. Waking up on a couch in a downtown house and not remembering how you got there is quite the way to start your day. The smart thing to do would be to shower, eat an actual meal and maybe catch up on sleep, but everyone knows that the out-of-control behavior that comes with every weekend in college must continue. Before you know it, you’re back downtown standing on a riser that is holding way more weight than it should be, surrounded by people that reek of sweat and beer. “Super” is still going on as the sun starts to set, but the only people left are those that are too drunk to figure out how to get home. Everyone else is sound asleep taking their post-super nap before rallying for round three.

Crowds at the frats dwindle Saturday night as most students find it difficult to continue to party, but this is a nonissue for the craziest of students. Making it through Friday night, super and Saturday night is a challenge only completed by the most aggressive, outgoing, borderline insane students. These are the type of people that should consider admitting themselves to a facility of some sort. While partying for such a period of time may be viewed as delinquency to some, it is an impressive feat to those that understand the art. It takes dedication, commitment and resilience to make this kind of accomplishment. 

Contrary to popular belief, it is sometimes the most academically-driven students that reach this level of intensity while partying on the weekends. After grinding out school work all week, who can blame them? The more work completed during the week, the more partying that can be done on the weekend. You can expect to see these students up bright and early for their 8:30 class on Monday, and then the cycle repeats all over again. Just like they say: work hard, play harder.