As the difficulties of the pandemic slowly fade away, new obstacles have emerged for university students province-wide. With the prospects of restrictions lifting, and unchecked house parties returning, one fear is at the front of everybody’s mind: disliked acquaintances. Sure, you were neighbours in res, you had every class together, but you didn’t drift apart nearly as much as you had hoped. When the pandemic struck, the perfect opportunity presented itself to exclude them from social gatherings moving forward, an opportunity that is rapidly fading. No one is feeling the brunt of this harsh new reality more than fourth-year student Eric Woodhelm, as he expressed to The Mackerel, “I’m gonna miss the days of smaller parties—sure, they’re less exciting— but, man, do I hate social expectations,” followed by “They must know I don’t like them. I’m sure they aren’t expecting an invite anyway.” A word of advice: it’s been a year and a half; you could have easily changed your phone number. Best of luck, Eric.