You may have been considered a “band geek” (even if it was self-proclaimed) in high school, but you wouldn’t have had it any other way!

With the long practices in the scorching hot or the bitter cold weather (thank God for hand warmers!) to competing across the state and feeling that sweet adrenaline rush; there are some things you can just never forget as a member of the marching band. You’ll have these traits with you forever, no matter how long it’s been!

1. Your peripheral vision is on fleek

Nobody can get anything past you. You’ve been trained to everything coming at you, from basically all angles. There’s nothing you can’t see and you dare anyone to try.

2. You have no shame in changing your clothes wherever you are

You’ve changed in front of the entire brass section on the bus. If you’ve changed on a bus with a bunch of other people, you know that your limited space makes it feel like an Olympic event. You’ve also probably changed behind a bus without a care in the world that someone might see you. The quicker you get that hideous band uniform off, the better.

3. You have to walk in-step with anyone you’re with

No matter how hard you try, you can’t get out of the habit of walking in-step with someone. In fact, you get serious anxiety if you’re out of step. Don’t fight the feeling, adjust and walk the right way.

4. You still consider carrying a CamelBak with you

The CamelBak was a huge life-saver during those hot days of band practice when you were sure your band director wanted you to die from dehydration (seriously, can we just get a drop of water!?) With the CamelBak, fear not! Your water is on your back.

How sweet it would be to take that thing around with you everywhere. Fill it with water, Gatorade, wine: whatever you want! (I can’t be the only one that put a bag from a box of wine in a CamelBak).

5. You’re a stickler for showing up on time

Repeat after me: “Early is on time. On time is late. Late is just unacceptable.” You know that you’ve felt like you might just die if you were pushing the limit getting to band practice. Never has there ever been such a guilt trip or humiliation as someone that’s late for band practice.

6. You still stereotype people based on their instrument

Admit it, when you hear someone tell you they played an instrument in high school, you immediately judge them. A clarinet player? She was a slut in high school. He was in percussion? God, he must have been arrogant AF.

7. You know the term “one more time” is a lie

I know your game, Mr. Band Director, one more time means about 10 more times so you just shove that phrase up your…well, you know what I mean. I never believe anyone that tells me “one more time,” that’s a bigger lie than “I never gossip.”

8. You stand firm in the belief that marching band could be considered a sport

Whoever said marching band isn’t a physical activity should be made to participate in a practice before the final competition of the year. It’s straight up blasphemy to think that what we do out on the field isn’t considered physical. Whether you’re carrying around a tuba or having to jazz run to each new dot, you’re going to be exhausted.

9. You contemplate jazz running when you’re in a rush

Speaking of jazz running, how convenient was that? Sure, it was annoying AF to have to jazz run to your next spot, but thank God you could! In real life, it would be great if you could do that without looking like a lunatic. Think about how quickly you could get someplace if you were late.

10. You miss the comradery of being with the band

Nothing, I repeat, nothing compares to the comradery you felt with your fellow bandmates. Sure, there’s more drama than a Real Housewives episode, but would you have it any other way? When competition day came, you were all in this together, drama was left at the gate. There’s no bond like that!