There is something that every college student experiences and only college students can understand. If you hear the term prior to your arrival on move-in day, you might be puzzled.

Parents fathom the idea or comprehend the humor in the event. But it's something you can spot every weekend morning. It stands out like a sore thumb.

It's the guy in his tuxedo pants, his unbuttoned shirt, but he's not wearing his bowtie or jacket. It's the girl in stilettos, boxers and an oversized sweatshirt.

You see them walk through the quad at an hour of the morning and you know. Ladies and gentlemen this is the "Walk of Shame."

I have no idea who coined the term, but it's genius. Now, the aspect that it is shameful can be debated. If you were asking your mother, she would argue that the entire event is shameful. But if you asked a peer, she would argue that it's walking back half-dressed for the entire world to see, that is the most embarrassing part.

Not only are you in your clothes from the night before, but you're also in those stilettos that gave you blisters all night, and your tight jeans that you wouldn't dare wear anywhere other than Lacledes. You now have to walk all across campus in them while every student who passes you by snickers and stares. You think to yourself, "Yeah, I shacked last night. Yes, my mascara is smeared; and no I don't want to talk to you."

This event is slightly different for guys. Unless you were at a formal or a themed event the night before, you look perfectly normal walking across campus in a wrinkled button down and unbrushed hair. You only have to worry about running into your roommate or your friends whom you left at the bar the night before. But they'll just laugh or give you high fives. After all, for you this is the "Stride of Pride."

Now, if you're going to do this, be smart about it. If you're a lady in her gown from the night before, please wear a sweatshirt and borrow some flip-flops. Spare yourself complete humiliation. Guys in your formalwear, just borrow a t-shirt and get your tie later. And for goodness sakes, get up early and walk back.

Don't wait until two in the afternoon because the chance of running into your friends and their visiting parents is high, and this is not an easy situation to explain. Their parents might ask if you're just coming home: awkward!

But if you find yourself in this situation (where you slept in way too late on Saturday and have a long walk to face) hold your head up high. You've just experienced something essential to every college experience. And when you get back you have a great story to tell your roommate. (Just make sure you don't get caught on the weekend your parents are in town.) And next time don't make it your walk of shame; make it your stride of pride.