Everyone you will meet on Pennsylvania Road

Pennsylvania is the only place to live in Exeter. It bridges the gap between campus and town one student house at a time.

With the Co-op under renovation, the struggle is very much real for those who live on Penny Road, but even with this social hub out of use, there are still certain things that you’ll definitely recognise if you’ve ever lived here.

The Wednesday night social stampede

If you aren’t lucky enough to be heading to Timepiece on a Wednesday, then choose your path wisely.

From about 5.30-7.30pm, Pennsylvania will be crawling with social goers, be that a lary parade of rugby lads in ones, or a procession of cheerleaders in their fancy dress costume of the week (and undoubtedly covered in glitter, theme regardless).

Either way, if you don’t want to experience how Simba felt waiting for his dad in Wildebeest Valley, then walk to your friend’s film night outside of this time bracket.

Girls in pyjamas

Proudly sporting our emerald emblem in lieu of their makeup-less face, these girls travel in packs – certainly never alone. Such trips usually occur at a point when a unanimous household need for chocolate is reached, far surpassing the social anxiety of bumping into your crush without make-up on.

Before these girls embark upon their journey, you can be sure to hear conversations such as “We’re definitely going ugly, right?” or “Why are you wearing slaggy pyjamas, I’m actually wearing my dressing gown.”

The hungover pilgrimage to the shop

We’ve all been there: it’s Sunday morning, and you’re trying to claw your way back to a point of civilisation.

No, you shouldn’t have gone to the Lemmy, (but how can you resist it when you live so close?) and no, you shouldn’t be going out dressed like this… but yes, a frozen pizza will save your life.

The oversized P Diddy glasses are a must

The walk of shame

The walk of shame. “Embrace it!” they tell you, “it’s not a walk of shame, it’s a stride of pride” they proclaim as they chuckle at their rhyme.

At no point has anyone been on a walk of shame and done anything more enthusiastic than drag their regrets behind their already dragging feet.

A new personal best of ugliness will be reached on this journey, and if your route is via Pennsylvania road, prepare for the prying eyes.

Hang that head in shame

The keen kids

Finally, the worst of all the people you encounter on Pennsylvania Road. The true stride of pride, the people walking to their 9.30am lectures – because people surely don’t make 8.30ams?

The smugness settled comfortably onto their face just like the walk of shame’s day old makeup is smeared all over yours. These people have their lives together, and are ready to judge. Avoid eye contact at all costs.

A local 

I think that you, sir, may be lost.