I, Kelly Chuipek, hereby leave the following to my younger sister, who will join the University of Illinois class of 2017 this upcoming fall, in the hopes that she will enjoy her four years here at the University as much as I have enjoyed mine.

1. Cowboy boots

I invested in a pair of cowboy boots freshman year after realizing the number of barn dances I would attend in my four years at the University. If you haven’t already heard, barn dance is kind of a big deal here. What’s better than rolling around in hay and wearing plaid? While they are a little bit beat up, I think they have another four years left in them. I leave them with the hope that they bring you better luck than they brought me after I didn’t make that bus freshmen year.

2. Unofficial beads

An even bigger event than barn dance, Unofficial St. Patrick’s Day, is like Christmas here. I leave you my collections of shamrocks, sparkly beads and plastic shot glass necklaces that I acquired after going through four Unofficials. May they bring you a day of fun and keep you far away from any $310 fines.

3. Gold sparkly gym shoes

AKA the best $20 I have ever spent. If there is one thing I have learned, it’s that college will present you with a number of occasions that gold sparkly gym shoes will be appropriate. The real world might not be the same, so I leave them to you. May they add the finishing touch to a number of your outfits during your college years.

4. My knowledge of queso dip at Tortica’s

Seriously, the best queso dip that I have ever had. Sadly, I did not find out how amazing it was until senior year. I leave you with the knowledge that it exists and that it can be found at a prime location on Green Street, so that you can visit it during late night hours with your friends and probably regret it a little bit the next morning.

5. Random assortment of room decorations

This collection ranges from my Harry Potter movie poster, stolen posters from bars, handmade paintings that I crafted in a freshman year art class, random sceneries that I found at Hobby Lobby, and of course, a few cheesy “Live Laugh Love” signs. These decorations can transform an empty dorm room or apartment into a place that feels like a home. I leave them to you in hopes that your living space looks as mismatched and random as mine has during my time here.

6. The phone number to Insomnia Cookies

Because sometimes, you just need to order a delicious, warm, chocolate chunk cookie with a little bit of milk and have a night in with your friends. As you will probably live far from Insomnia during your freshman year, I leave you the number, so it may give you a little comfort should you ever grow homesick (or just get a late-night craving).

7. Collection of cups

In addition to t-shirts, college will provide you with a number of free cups and glasses. From the plastic cups I acquired on Quad Day, to mason jars from Kam’s Country night, to the cups I got from trips to Mia Za’s Cafe, I have plenty to leave to you. I hope you won’t have to invest in any cups when moving into an apartment and I hope that you may have enough to avoid dishes for a day or two.

8. My throwback playlist

It took many years and hours of listening to the SClub7 Pandora station to compile a throwback playlist of 90’s hits that I am proud of. From experience, I learned that starting a night with a throwback playlist will lead to a fun time. I leave it to you, so it may provide you with hours of pregame music, and you may add to it as you see fit.

9. Hand-made Illinois memory jar

My roommates and I started this senior year. We put Post-its near the jar, and whenever something funny or memorable happened, we wrote it down and stuck it inside. At the end of the semester, we read them and laughed at everything we’d forgotten. I give it to you, in hopes that you’ll start it your freshman year and have a collection of thousands of folded up Post-it memories by the time you graduate.

10. A picture of me

Just in case you miss me. Just kidding though … that’s creepy.

Well, sis, I think that’s enough to get you started. Enjoy your four years here and take every opportunity that you can. I hope that when your graduation comes, you have a list twice the size of mine to bestow upon the incoming freshmen class.

Kelly is a senior in Media. She can be reached at [email protected].