What “Locking In” Actually Means
As finals season approaches, Texas A&M students everywhere are gearing up for long nights of studying in preparation for their most important exams. A new phrase commonly used among students in reference to studying is “locking in.”
While this phrase is widespread in its popularity, its precise meaning is often unclear. Here at the Mugdown, we prioritize seeking truth and educating our readers on what we discover, so we have compiled a list of potential meanings for “locking in”.
Through this comprehensive list of possible definitions for this enigma of a phrase, we hope to provide clarity to our readers demanding answers.
Getting a sweet treat: Locking in could mean pausing—or never beginning— your study session to get a Mcflurry from Mcdonalds.
Tiktok doom-scrolling in bed: Locking in could also mean laying alone in a dark room, hypnotized by split screens of soap-cutting paired with Subway Surfers or 500 parts of one episode of Young Sheldon.
Loudly dropping first and last names at public study spots: Locking in has been used to refer to the public rehashing of the entirety of your last breakup (casual trauma dump) in the privacy of a corner table at Sweet Eugene’s.
Making an Instagram post: Locking in has also been used in the context of the long, gruesome hours required to perfect the most crafted yet carefree semester recap, one so aesthetic it makes all your friends foam at the mouth with jealousy.
Going through your entire camera roll: Locking in sometimes translates to spending hours scrolling through 2017 family beach pictures, text screenshots that you feel obligated to re-read, and too many before-and-after braces photos.
Reading this article: Gotcha.
– Hullabapoo
After an unfortunate accident during Howdy Week involving Hullabaloo Hall, two pounds of froyo, and a DG hangout gone wrong, Hullabapoo was born. A creature equal parts Aggie spirit and gastrointestinal uncertainty, they once wrote a think piece comparing Silver Taps to a silent disco. They are no longer allowed to submit op-eds without an emotional support editor. Their columns are confusing, philosophical, and often end with the phrase “So who’s the real Reveille, anyway?” A legend. A liability. A laxative of logic.