I might still be in high school, but I’m already a Wolverine

A pack of 109,901 wolverines is a image frightening to most, but is a sense of home to those who bleed blue. At the University of Michigan, football isn’t just a sport; it’s a religion faithfully followed by everyone in Ann Arbor.

On game day, maize and blue swarm the town as festivities erupt on every street corner. It doesn’t matter who you are or what you do, everyone marches to the stadium together. Having yet to go on my college tours, I went to visit my brother, who is a sophomore, and I was beyond overwhelmed.

I had never seen such fan loyalty or school spirit like this in my life; thousands of people proud to be associated with the university. Prior to game day, I thought I had seen all of Michigan. I had already toured the campus, visited my brother’s frat house and spent way too much time in the MDen, but wow, was I wrong. My first steps in the stadium were nothing compared to waking up every Saturday to the yells of my mom cheering on Jabrill Peppers. Pride was present everywhere and the chants were empowering.

After seeing how purely elated every person was, I had a moment of panic. I suddenly felt the overwhelming sense that I needed to do anything I could to get into this school. I sat in my stadium seat contemplating which extracurriculars I needed, how to become student body president, and how to get a perfect score on the SAT. I decided that I would do everything in my power to get accepted to Michigan and proudly join the crowd of maize and blue.

As a sophomore in high school, I know I am not ready to be independent at college just yet. Like many movies about high school suggest, my life is filled with teenage drama and the constant struggle to figure out who I am and what direction I want to take. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy my current academic challenges and socializing with friends on and off campus, but I am looking forward to the more mature endeavors to come when I go to college.

College presents more intense academic and social challenges, and movies about college often depict extreme partying and expressions of newfound freedom. With these pre-formed notions of how college would be, I walked into my brothers tailgate party expecting the worst. Not to my surprise, I immediately felt inferior and out of place as the students towered over me while dancing on hay bales. However, my anxiety quickly faded when my brother introduced me to his friends and  their warmth and kindness was a far cry from the typical frat boy stereotype so often portrayed in movies. One of them even offered me a wedding ring he pawned off someone for 10 bucks and a beverage in a red solo cup (don’t worry, I declined). Just like the frat boys, the sorority girls were equally or even more welcoming with their spirit and willingness to give me the scoop on everything.

And just when I was settling in and feeling comfortable, the DJ turned on a version of the song “Wonderwall” and my brother suggested that I run. Before I even had the chance, beer was flying in the air along with hoots and hollers. He later explained to me how the song was part of their pre-game hype ritual, which inevitably was taken seriously by all.

I finally experienced firsthand the college movie scene I had been waiting for all day. Stereotypes aside, for those lucky enough to attend it isn’t all about the partying but instead about the pride of being part of the community. Although my journey to college has just begun, the University of Michigan has definitely set the bar high. Ultimately, whether the cards are in my favor or if life takes me down a different path and I end up elsewhere, I know that whenever I visit Ann Arbor, I am a Wolverine. GO BLUE!