I have been a merry Washington University student for two years. The two Augusts when I’ve been a returning student—this fine year and last—I have asked one question and one question only. Why am I not a freshman this year?

I mean, honestly. The new South 40 has been described as many things: cartoonish, overdone and “so ridiculous,” as I believe one jealous senior bitterly muttered. Most frequently, it has been compared to Disneyland, yet… is that really a devastatingly insulting similarity? I think Disney has millions of visitors a year for a reason. That being said, since I have recently moved off the 40 and off campus altogether, I feel a bit like someone who had a great time visiting Epcot and Magic Kingdom, only to find out that Animal Kingdom opened just after I’d left. Snapping my fingers and sighing, “Oh, poo,” does not even begin to cover it.

So, as a disclaimer: I know I am very lucky to have experienced the 40 at all, and it has much better dorms than other colleges, and really I should be happy to be at Wash. U., blah, blah. But all of that really doesn’t change the fact that I am seriously lamenting not having a fat meal plan to spend at the new Bear’s Den. Or that I can’t take the elevator downstairs and get off at the floor that houses a fitness center that could rival L.A. Fitness (and now even boys go there!). Or that when I’m sick of studying Italian I can have a baguette and fizzy drink under the snaked hanging lights of Little Italy outside the dining area. Mi amore snaked hanging lights…

Obviously I don’t really need to list the reasons why those lucky duck freshmen and sophomores are blessed to be living on the 40 this year (and even a few lucky juniors in Myers, I believe). However, those who are not living on the 40, my aging self included, should not be totally remiss at all the glitz and glamour we are missing out on. For one thing, we have nostalgia. Oh, remember the days of grimy Center Court and the wretched stench that emanated from the back end of the eating area? What about the post office that was practically merged with a pint-sized Bear Necessities, which was practically merged with a Bear Mart that didn’t sell fresh produce? Or hey, even this: a Swamp that had a perimeter by dorms that didn’t compete to outdo each other.

Of course, there’s one thing we’ll really remember that freshmen just possibly can’t begin to understand, and something that, if you’ve moved either to the Village or off campus, we’ll never have to worry about again. Remember those sweet Saturday mornings after a really great Friday night where you just want to nestle in your extra-long bed and sleep till noon? And then remember how you were rudely awakened at 8 a.m. to the sound of jackhammers, trucks and general dorm-building noises? Yep, won’t be missing those.