What is a SWUG? 15 Things Only So-Called 'Senior Washed Up Girls' Will Understand

June 10, 2024

Ahhh, senior year of college. The year where you wear leggings as pants almost everyday, rip through seasons of New Girl like nobody's business, and polish off a bottle of Barefoot Pinot Grigio in your living room every Saturday. In sum, it's the year you become a SWUG. For those of you unfamiliar with the term, SWUG stands for Senior Washed Up Girl, (though it could also stand for guy, if you ask us).

The generally-offensive term "washed up" should be used here with a huge grain of salt, especially considering we're all about 21 years old. And while the phrase probably has problematic frat boy origins, I like to own the title. We SWUGs are waiting to move on to the next step in our lives, so why not wear our hair in dry-shampooed top knots while we do it?

I realized I was a SWUG this past Halloween when I dressed up as a rooster and found myself surrounded by freshman girls in next-to-nothing costumes. It dawned on me, there in that bar bathroom, that I wasn't like my younger female peers anymore.

It was a welcome realization. Here's how you know you're a true SWUG.

Your weekend shoe-of-choice has switched from heels to combat boots.

Because you actually want to walk like a real human. Sorry 'bout it.

You spend more time talking to the bartenders and bouncers than your friends.

You immediately want to leave the party once you see the amount of underclassman running around.

You and your roommates don't want to leave the pregame until midnight — and the bars close at 1 a.m.

Sometimes the pregame is the real party.

Dancing is no longer just some kind of mating call.

"Take On Me" by A-ha comes on and you lose yourself to the music. Dance, girl, dance!

You're no longer the one always taking the walk of shame.

Oh, how the tables have turned.

You are so over counting calories.

Go ahead, order that pizza and inhale it with your roommates.

You see a photo of yourself from freshman year and freak out a little.

You were a baby!

Your go-to hook up at the end of a late night is a box of mac-n-cheese.

Who can resist a box of Annie's shells and white cheddar? I dare you to name a single person.

You know that home is where the pants aren't...

...And if you must wear pants, sweats are the next best thing.

You are friends with your pizza delivery man.

You leave him absurdly gracious tips. Because food.

Senior Week is coming, and you're so ready.

You're living up the next four weeks with your ladies.

Keep on keepin' on, sister. Graduation is just around the corner.

Because if college has taught you anything, it's that your friends are where the real party is at.

Images: Imgur

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