Heidelberg University is a very special school and I’ve loved every moment I’ve been on campus so far. However, when I look at my friends who go to larger schools or even other private schools, I find myself looking at my school in a different light and I’ve begun to say the following phrase: “You know you go to Heidelberg when…” Here are eight signs that you attend Heidelberg University.

1. You love photographing our beautiful campus

You’ve taken at least one picture of campus and posted it on social media. Face it, we’ve all done it. I’m extremely guilty of it, but I’m not sorry in the slightest. It’s very hard to find an ugly side of our campus. When I took my tour my senior year of high school, the leaves had all turned to their fall colors, the sky was a bright blue, and the famous Heidelberg flags lined Greenfield Street. Needless to say, the campus sells itself on days like that. I love waking up every day knowing I live in a wonderful place, so I will not apologize for sharing its beauty.

2. You take multiple classes with the same professors.

Because Heidelberg is so small, each department of professors is generally pretty small as well. It’s not uncommon to have the same professor, especially if it’s in your major, for more than one class. You may even have them more than once a day! Heidelberg’s faculty members see their students as more than just a body in a desk. They see you as a person with possibility. It’s not uncommon you might find yourself getting dinner with them or maybe even babysitting their kids!

3. The people in your major/minor become your second family

These are the people you spend the most time with, the ones who know the struggles you are facing better than anyone else. You may find yourself creating study groups, hanging out after class, or maybe even finding yourself in a deep conversation about life. This is the group of people that understands you and pushes you to always do your best. They see you succeed and fail and are there every step of the way. You wouldn’t know what to do without your major/minor fam.

4. You know the Hoernemann menu

When you first arrive to college, everything is exciting, even the food! But that quickly wears off as you discover the weekly schedule of Hoernemann, also known as Hmann. You know pasta day is Thursday and even though you’ll have to wait twenty minutes in line for your Alfredo, the small talk with Brenda The Pasta Lady and the extra scoop of pasta she gives you make the wait well worth it. You know the four ice cream flavors available without even walking over to the bin: chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, and butter pecan. But on those rare days when we have cookies and creme or moose tracks, word spreads very quickly. At times chicken nuggets and hamburgers becomes a little repetitive, but you know that there are always more options just across the street!

5. A trip out to eat is usually to fireside.

Let’s face it: Heidelberg students live in a bubble. A well protected, street lit bubble where you can see all of campus if you stand in just the right spot. We don’t normally leave campus too often and our food options are generally slim. So when we’ve had enough of Hoernemann and we want to be reminded of what real food tastes life, we walk across the street to Fireside. Sure, we are still in the sanctuary of the Heidelberg bubble, but sometimes we just need a chicken bacon ranch wrap and a cookie to be reminded of the simple things in life.

6. You wear Heidelberg gear at least once a week.

Our school's so small that most people usually do a double take when you say the name. We promise, we aren’t making this up. We actually go to school. And because we are so small, the odds of finding our school’s apparel at a local Dick’s Sporting Goods or Victoria’s Secret are slim to none. So when we have time to go to the bookstore, we buy everything in sight. We are proud of our school and our education, so it’s only natural that we show our Berg Pride on a weekly basis.

7. You are over involved.

Heidelberg is known for it’s wide array of groups on campus. If you’re a student, odds are you are involved in at least one group such as sports, Greek life, music, the arts, the list goes on. Or you may be the one helping plan and set up the events! Students on Heidelberg’s campus are always busy with their class work, but they really find themselves when they become involved. We may be over involved, but we love every moment of our crazy-scheduled lives.

8. You’re proud of your school.

After being on campus for almost two years, I knew that Heidelberg was something really special. It was the only school where I found an environment of people that really care about others and love to watch each other thrive. We live in an environment where we make connections you won’t find at other schools. Are we small? Yes. Do Heidelberg students get the most out of their time here? Absolutely. Whenever people ask me where I go to school, I always proudly say that I go to Heidelberg University and that I’m proud to be a Student Prince.