Awkward moments occur all over campus and are almost inevitable. 

National Awkward Moments Day, celebrated last week, gives people the opportunity to rehash past awkward experiences and laugh, cry or both while doing so. 

What follows are three stories from Pitt students who braved the awkwardness of their tales and shared them with The Pitt News. 

Editor’s Note: Some of the subjects of this article have omitted personal information because of the personal nature of their stories.’

Rebekah Jean’s Awkward Moment

Rebekah Jean, a freshman at Pitt, recounted one time last semester when she “forgot how to walk down the stairs,” slipping and falling on her way to class in front of a crowd of students.

She banged up both of her knees, had deep tissue bruises on both calves and sprained both ankles. 

“I decided not to go to class that day, and I laid in bed all day deciding when I should tell my mom I’m dropping out of school and moving to Argentina,” Jean said. 

Marielle’s Awkward Moment

During Orientation Week her freshman year, Marielle — now a sophomore at Pitt — was busy making friends alongside the rest of her peers. 

While working to meet new people, she and her floormates met a boy. Later that night, Marielle told him he was the cutest boy on campus. 

“We barely knew this boy, and [we] were being stupid freshmen at the time, but now we’re all good friends,” Marielle said. “But I think this awkward moment is the reason why we’re friends today.” 

Elaine’s Awkward Moment 

Elaine, a Pitt student, tripped and fell while crossing a Fifth Avenue crosswalk. She chipped three teeth and busted her lip open.

She says the most shocking details of her fall were that she was wearing flats, there was no snow on the ground and she was completely alert.

The highlight of the moment, Elaine said, was the group of middle-aged men that exclaimed, “Oh, s***!” after watching her fall.