EMBRACE the AWKWARD

You can’t run from them. You can’t hide from them.

Whether you’re a student just beginning study at university, or you’re CEO of a major international

company, everyone encounters…

awkward moments.

You can’t run from them. You can’t hide from them.

Whether you’re a student just beginning study at university, or you’re CEO of a major international

company, everyone encounters…

awkward moments.

You can’t run from them. You can’t hide from them.

Whether you’re a student just beginning study at university, or you’re the CEO of a major international

company, everyone encounters…

awkward moments.

You can’t run from them. You can’t hide from them.

Whether you’re a student just beginning study at university, or you’re the CEO of a major international

company, everyone encounters…

awkward moments.

We’ve all been there and it’s hard to deny that being a victim of an

awkward moment can leave you wishing you had an invisible superpower.

But instead of letting these take over, we have some new advice for you.

EMBRACE the AWKWARD

EMBRACE the AWKWARD

So you’re fully prepared to embrace the awkward, we’ve put together a couple of the most awkward moments

you may encounter in your day-to-day lives at university.

The push/ pull doorDegree of awkwardness

Probability of occurring

When you are standing in the doorway, attempting to shove open a door that says ‘pull’ for a solid 3 minutes before a kind stranger does the familiar *cough* ‘it says pull‘ *cough*.

While this has a high probability of occurring, it’s such a common awkward moment that its degree of awkwardness is super low.

Walking into the wrong classroomDegree of awkwardness

Probability of occurring

We’re just going to say it; this can be one of the most shameful experiences. However, while you may think the whole class will be chuckling, we can guarantee they’re all silently praying that it doesn’t happen to them, ever. So in a way, you embracing this moment will be an inspiration to all of those who haven’t experienced this yet! #ownit

Forgotten name of a new friendDegree of awkwardness

Probability of occurring

Some of us are gifted with perfect memories to recall new names for introductions at the drop of a hat, while some of us aren’t. If your new friend can laugh at this awkward moment with you, never let this person go–you may have found a new study buddy for life. You can always blame a failed intro on first day nerves!

The over-greetDegree of awkwardness

Probability of occurring

We can’t help it, sometimes we are just waaayyy more excited to see someone than they are to see us! This is not a bad thing though and if anything, they’ll probably be feeling more awkward for not being as friendly as you are.

The intense awkward feeling occurs when you over-greet someone who wasn’t waving at you in the first place…

When you see people you know… but you don’tDegree of awkwardness

Probability of occurring

‘Is that… I think it is! *waves a lot*… Oh, nope, it’s not them’ – you, being super awkward.

Don’t stress this one, it literally happens all the time! And trust us when we say that both parties usually feel just as awkward. Make like Taylor and shake it off, or you can always pretend you were waving at someone behind them…

Uni navigation in generalDegree of awkwardness

Probability of occurring

That feeling you get when you realise ‘I’ve been here before’ and you’re likely going in circles as you get lost on campus. The good news is, most people DO get lost on campus! Pull aside a fellow USQ-ian or duck into the closest reception and ask for directions. If they can’t help you, this awkward moment dissolves into thin air (two awkward moments make a right).

Running into an academic outside of classDegree of awkwardness

Probability of occurring

‘Seeing a teacher outside of school is like seeing a dog walk on its hind legs’, Janis Ian, Mean girls.

If you find yourself face to face with your lecturer, it’s okay to smile and say hello! Remember, they’re people too. Our pro tip is to keep the conversation light and friendly. It’s probably not best to engage in a full chat about how you couldn’t solve Task 3 in your latest assignment while you’re both grocery shopping…

Miss mouth, spill foodDegree of awkwardness

Probability of occurring

You may just be tired or having a long day, it’s not your fault that your chip covered in BBQ sauce didn’t want to be eaten and instead decided to jump onto your clothes. It’s also not your fault that you were wearing a white shirt that day. These things just happen.

All we can do is embrace the moment and move on! We don’t recommend removing your shirt at this point in time, but perhaps you could strategically carry your study equipment to hide the damage before escaping to the nearest bathroom to review the situation.

Remember, they happen to everyone and there’s only one thing you can do:

EMBRACE the AWKWARD

Remember, they happen to everyone and there’s only one thing you can do:

EMBRACE the AWKWARD

Experiencing awkward moments is a lot more bearable with friends. You can search for new study buddies online or on-campus!

And hey, why not relay one of your awkward study moments as an icebreaker?

#yourewelcome

Remember, they happen to everyone and there’s only one thing you can do:

EMBRACE the AWKWARD

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For more advice on how to embrace the awkward, check out Rachael’s blog. What’s the most awkward moment that you’ve had to embrace? Share it in the

comments section below!