As a student who is now in her third semester of learning American Sign Language (ASL), I have found a new love for language. Of course, I love English. English is my major and what I want to do for the rest of my life. However, ASL and Deaf culture have opened my eyes to so many different things and it has taught me to appreciate all languages for what they are. Since I have a lot of friends who are also taking ASL, I know that most ASL student's viewpoints are similar. Here are 10 things that every ASL student understands.

1. Being deaf is not a disability.

This is a very common thought in the hearing world, but deaf people do not view themselves as disabled. They are just as intelligent and successful, they just cannot hear.

2. Sometimes signing just works better than using English.

Are ou trying to communicate with your friends across the room at a loud bar? Sign to them. Are you trying to get your mom's attention at the gym, but you're out of breath from running? Sign to her. Do you want to tell a story, but you have food in your mouth and can't be rude? Sign it. Are you trying to tell a secret in a crowded room to your friend? Sign it.

3. Getting a front row seat on quiz days is imperative.

Yes, you can technically see the video from any desk in the room, but a front row seat makes sure that you won't miss a thing. I mean, that back row seat is the reason why you failed the last one, right?

4. Every ASL teacher is just as awesome as the others and you can't pick a favorite.

You think that Tim will always be your favorite. Who doesn’t love him? Then, you move onto ASL II and realize that your teacher is just as awesome. Finally, you reach ASL III and decide that the department as a whole just rocks and you can’t decide who is the best.

5. You want to teach every single person who you know how to sign.

“Come on, just learn the alphabet,” I beg of my sister. “Hey, wouldn’t it be so cool if you learned ASL?” I ask my boyfriend. I want everyone to love the language they way that I love it and be able to communicate with me through it, too.

6. You always contemplate becoming an interpreter.

You think about how cool it would be to sign for a living, but then you remember the ASL videos that you’ve seen and how fast they sign.

7. You know the difference between "deaf" and "Deaf.”

Don’t even think about writing a lower-case "d" on your quizzes or in your papers. If you’re talking about Deaf culture, then you need a "D."

8. You dread going to events, but they always end up being sort of fun.

Yes, they are long, inconvenient, and you always sit there while trying to find something to talk about for an hour with a person who you just met. In reality, they help us practice our signing and help to bring the ASL students together, so you have to admit that’s pretty cool.

9. You also dread LMC videos and those are not so fun.

I tried finding a positive to these weekly videos, but I really couldn’t.

10. You do it all because of your love for ASL.

In the end, ASL is the best class ever and you look forward to it (almost) every day.