With limited time left, Penn State graduation is the grand finale of four years of “I’ll do it later,” finally catching up to you all at once. You walk across the stage, shake a few hands, and suddenly you’re expected to have your life figured out. But first, you need to figure out where you and your family are sleeping.

If your family didn’t book a hotel sometime around your freshman or sophomore year (because it’s impossible to find a place nowadays), don’t worry, there are still many creative and questionable options.

‘We Know a Guy’ Housing

Every Penn State student suddenly becomes a housing agent when it comes to finding a place to stay. “Yeah, my friend’s cousin’s roommate’s brother’s dog has a place.” Here, you can end up in a house with 11 people, 2 chairs, 1 functioning light, and somehow everyone makes it work.

Academic Building Airbnb

You’ve spent four years in all types of classes and buildings, what’s one or two more nights? The pros are that you can use the tables as beds and whiteboards as emotional journaling, but on the other hand, the custodian might walk in at 6 a.m. and might figure out your entire story.

Last Minute Car Solution

You always have that one person who thinks of the phenomenal idea of, “Oh wait, we can just sleep in the car. It won’t be that bad.” Then suddenly, they think they’re the next Thomas Edison.

Hotel Lobby Camping

Hotels these days seem to all be packed up and full, but the lobby? I don’t think so. Free seating, AC, and random side-eyes from staff make this truly a unique experience. If you look confident enough, you’re just “waiting for your room.”

Frat Basement Classic

Now these amenities are a mystery because you never know what the house has been through, a floor that may or may not be level, missing doors, or music blasting from a speaker that’s on its last leg. Sleeping arrangements include a couch that’s claimed instantly, a floor that’s surprisingly competitive, and a random chair that seems to do the trick.

Don’t Sleep Method

When worst comes to worst, you always have the don’t sleep scenario. Just a few simple steps like saying, “We’ll just power through,” buying an endless amount of caffeine, and staring into the midnight sky, asking yourself why you got into this position. By the time graduation comes around, you may be physically present, but mentally? Definitely not.

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At the end of it all, whether your family ends up getting kicked out of a hotel lobby, awake for 48 hours straight, or bonding in a frat basement they’ll never want to speak of again, it’s all part of the experience.

At the end of the day, Penn State isn’t just about the ceremony. It’s about all the fun chaos, last-minute scrambling, and the stories you’ll laugh about immediately after.

And somehow, that’s exactly what makes it all worth it.