Sure, you'll get a diploma. But is a piece of paper all you'll have to show for four or five years of college experience? Check out 25 "other" things you might pick up along the way. Then, comment away wth more. And, if you're on Twitter, Tweet your perk with http://bit.ly/6rXZt and #collegeperks. On June 22, 2009, we'll randomly choose a Tweet in the thread to win a Barnes and Noble gift card!

1. The ability to hit the snooze for three hours straight. No joke -- I had a roommate who did this once.

2. Friends for life. When you eat, sleep, and play together in the college bubble, relationships get deep quickly.

3. The art of skimming. If you can actually read every single page of text assigned throughout your college career, more power to you. For the rest of us, skimming comes in quite handy.
 
4. A six-pack. Of the nonalcoholic variety, of course -- most colleges have amazing athletic facilities that you can avail yourself of at any time.

5. Love handles. Or you can avoid the gym altogether, consume everything the dining hall has to offer, and pack on way more than the infamous freshman 15.

6. A complete inability to be alone. Since you're basically spending every minute of your life surrounded by your BFFs, the idea of doing anything alone becomes preposterous, and even a little unnerving.

7. The Ramen noodle gag reflex. Eat these every week for four years and you'll never want to touch the stuff again.

8. The desire to never eat off a tray again. Ever.

9. The habit of wearing your keys and ID around your neck. Just don't try this one in the city.

10. Intimate knowledge of the Greek alphabet. Say it with me: alpha, beta, gamma, delta....

11. Self-awareness. Sometimes it's good, sometimes it's scary, but learning more about yourself is part of growing up, and it comprises a significant chunk of your college years.

12. Antisocial behavior. Like texting the guy next door instead of walking three steps to talk to him face-to-face.

13. Mature, healthy relationships with adults who don't treat you like a kid.

14. A knack for staying up all night long, even if it's just to hang out with friends.

15. A big, fat loan. Plus interest.

16. A fondness for cold pizza, even in the morning.

17. A husband/wife. Hey, you never know.

18. A keen eye for spotting treasure in the garbage. Where do you think that funky sofa came from?

19. A deep appreciation for mom and dad. Wasn't it great when someone else did your laundry, fixed your car, and gave you money?

20. A unique decorating style that consists of movie posters, Christmas lights, and corkboards.

21. The strength to live in a 12-by-19 room with someone and not kill her.

22. A love for Wal-Mart, Target, and any other discount store that suits the fancy of the financially challenged.

23. A beat-up guitar, on which you rock a total of five chords.

24. The skill of turning your underwear inside out instead of hauling yourself to the laundry room.

25. Humility. Freshmen come in thinking they know everything; seniors leave realizing they don't know much. There's a lesson in there somewhere....

Surely you have some to add. Comment away. :) And, if you're on Twitter, Tweet your perk with the URL http://bit.ly/6rXZt and #collegeperks. On June 22, 2009. we'll randomly choose a Tweet in the thread to win a Barnes and Noble gift card!

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