The Watering Hole

 Unfortunately we decided to come now that the food court is closing. However, the final flurry of college students rushing in, only to be disappointed is among us. The last lucky few gallivant their winnings around the other hungry predators. Taking this into consideration, it makes sense how everyone who was already there seemed to be perfectly content with their homework sessions and study groups but the newer groups forming for the same reason it seemed were more quiet and agitated. Although it seemed that they were all doing the same thing, plus or minus a few groups that just seemed to be hanging out, the ones who were there before me were talkative and in small groups while the new arrivals were quieter, sat further apart, and were mostly on their phones. It could be that these people were divided by those who are getting ahead on their work and those who are catching up. I would assume that the larger groups were behind while the louder groups were ahead based solely on their work ethic and body language.
When I look at the groups walking through, I can't help but notice that people mostly walk in groups of three despite their physical differences, although occasional cowboy/cowgirl groups come in larger groups with smaller following groups (perhaps a club) and athletes and fraternity/sorority groups walk in larger herds. It is frustrating for me to see a group of ten people walking through shouting and hollering about what seems like nothing, only to make their presence known to everyone else, especially when the largest group to have walked through (a fraternity) all looked nearly identical in appearance. Why would a group consist of the same people, I get that it is easy to make friends with those who you have much in common with but conformity takes away from the importance of individuality.
While groups are popular, I also notice that there are many more people eating and working alone than I remember. They seem to give off this vibe that says don't approach me by wearing their backpack and having large headphones on while taking up a whole table for themselves and yet stay on their phones most of the time anyway. When I was a freshman, people seemed more approachable and less like they were trying to eat alone. Perhaps they are fixated on a certain task and would like silence but even then, there are much better solitary areas to go, like Zuhl or at least the second floor in Corbett.