Classe at NW started on August 26, 2025, which was 36 days before October 1st. For most schools, that may not be significant, but here at NW it is a concept that has a special space in some people’s hearts. First time students at NW may have heard of the term “The October Rule” floating around campus. In a short sense, the October Rule is simple: If you come into college without a significant other, don’t start a relationship before October, otherwise the people who find out have every right to prank you.
Over the years, there have been many pranks that live on drastically different parts of the spectrum. Some pranks students may have heard about include the following: A toilet has been left on a bed, a chicken released into a dorm, clothes being hung outside the LC, students have been taped to the football post and many mattresses have been stolen. Now, these pranks may seem extreme and not needed, but there are reasons behind this unique rule at NW.
First of all, coming into college is quite a new experience. Though NW is a Christian campus, and Christian campuses have gotten a reputation of helping students earn a Mrs. or Mr. degree, there is so much more that is offered. This rule can be funny to see broken, but it encourages students to slow down. The rule is in place to encourage students to get along as colleagues, acquaintances and friends before jumping into a relationship. Also, most of the pranks are harmless. From what students have said this year, the art of breaking the October Rule has not been noticed as much this year, which may be a good thing that may have improved the relationships throughout campus.
One student who uncordially broke the October Rule last year, Sage DeWitt, shared her experience. On the night that she and her new boyfriend at the time got pranked, it lasted for quite a while. They were going to hang out, and the guy in question headed back to his room to grab something. When arriving at his room he found his mattress stolen. DeWitt’s room was not spared, as there were sticky notes all over her room, the guy’s mattress was on top of her own, and her clothes were dumped out onto the floor. After that, the mattress was offered to be brought back to the guy’s dorm but was brought to Ramaker instead. When DeWitt was asked what she thought about the prank overall, she stated that the stolen mattress and sticky notes were funny, but the dumping out of clothes and bringing the mattress to Ramaker took it too far. Part of the prank just made an overall mess that had to be cleaned up and was not needed. “The October rule may seem dumb at first but when you actually think about it, waiting until October isn’t such a bad thing.” DeWitt says “It allows freshmen to figure out how to adapt to the college experience. You are balancing new things and a new daily schedule, so adding a relationship makes it harder to get into the community.”
David Grandel and Ryley Riggert were able to share their opinions. While neither of them has been involved in any pranking or been pranked, they both gave valid points. Grandel echoed DeWitt in saying there are humorous parts of the October Rule, but there is a line between harmless and going into harmful territory. The tradition means well but some pranks have been taken too far, and it’s supposed to be more focused on encouraging friendships instead of punishing relationships. There also have been some misunderstandings when two people are just hanging out and people automatically assume that they are dating but that is not always the case, and they get pranked when they have done nothing to break the rule. Riggert had a slightly different opinion in that he thinks it is hilarious and brings out a joyful tradition of campus. One prank that he heard about was bringing someone’s entire room outside of the dorm building, which can be debated if that is too far or not.
