Opinion: Some things I would like to see popular and others that are ready to retire
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We have thoroughly kicked off 2024 — the new year. A time for fresh starts and self-goals. In light of this, I’m declaring an end to our January resolutions. We’re trying out a different strategy this year: ins and outs.
Let me break it down. An “in” is something you want to see trendy or accomplished. On the contrary, an “out” is something that’ll get the boot this year. I decided to make an “ins and outs” list for the University of Oregon and Eugene community. Here it goes:
OUT: Umbrella shaming
We live in Oregon where it rains from October through May. Let’s start acting like it. I want to walk around with a cute, polka-dot umbrella without being shamed. Once UO invests in umbrella racks in the buildings, I’m busting mine out.
IN: Tailgating basketball games
Football game days are the best time of the year. I suggest we keep the good vibes going for basketball season. Other Division I schools have a strong basketball culture and make it a whole event. So, I say we start tailgating. 
“I think it’s a great idea. I do it myself … Get ready with [your friends] and head out as a whole group to the game. There’s just a lot of excitement,” Emilia Proano, a second-year at UO, said.
IN: Exploring downtown Eugene and Whiteaker
Most of the UO and Eugene population tends to stay in their living proximity. However, we should all start venturing out into downtown and the Whiteaker area in northwest Eugene. I can confidently say that you’ll find a new favorite restaurant. Plus, all the best thrift shops are downtown.
IN: Getting to Max’s early
This speaks for itself. Everyone is tired of waiting in line for over an hour to get into a mediocre college bar. It’s time we all start getting there early. Get there at 9 p.m. at the latest. Go in, have a couple of drinks and end the night at Webfoot or Fathoms. Nothing good happens at Max’s past midnight.
OUT: Snapchat
I think we can all agree it’s time to retire Snapchat as our primary form of communication. As college students, we’re on the cusp of it being abnormal. No one above the age of 23 is religiously using Snapchat.
For Renee Steinhoof, a third-year student at UO, Snapchat has always been an out. “I hate this culture of having to Snap people all the time,” Steinhoof said. “I’m dusty when I get home, ya know?”
I still enjoy posting on my public Snapchat story. The biggest issue is the dating aspect. Young adults commonly ask people for their Snapchat rather than their phone number.
“Snapchat nowadays has created such a hookup culture,” UO first-year Taylor Stokes said. “If I meet you, I hang out with you and if I don’t care for you, you’re getting blocked or ghosted. Phone numbers are a lot more personal.”
IN: Dining hall meal plan
Meal plans are such a hidden gem in college life, especially if you’re on campus all the time. Ducks Dine On applies to all nine dining halls for a 13-month period. This was the plan I bought in my second year: 50 meals for $550, or $11 per meal. I used my points on food, coffee, snacks and groceries. Getting a quick meal on campus rather than walking home was so convenient.
OUT: Athlete scooters
Athletes needing to transport between practice and class is understandable. The college athlete lifestyle can be very demanding. However, the speed at which they ride their electric scooters on campus is an issue.
“It’s dangerous. They don’t even look both ways,” Proano said. “I go up and down campus, and I have to look around. They’ll sneak up and blindsight you.”
Electric scooters don’t need to be written off. I just don’t want to be run over when I’m already two minutes late to class.
IN: Spotify daylists
I recently learned about this from a friend. Spotify personalizes playlists for you every day. Here are some of my favorites: breakfast, daytime, love core, anti-anxiety and goblin core — whatever that means. They’re the perfect addition for the new year.
That pretty much sums up what I’m hoping to see from the Ducks in 2024. Try them out. Or make your own instead.