New England College, an ever evolving Liberal Arts school in the quaint and quiet town of Henniker, New Hampshire. Founded in 1946, this campus has seen its fair share of faces and remodeling, but one thing has never changed is its ability to shape students into well rounded and knowledgeable adults. As I start my final year here, I’ve reflected on some of the experiences that I would not have gotten at any other school. So without further ado, here are 20 ways you know you went/go to NEC.

1. This conversation is far too familiar

Them: Where do you go to school?

You: New England College

Them: Oh where is that?

You: Henniker, New Hampshire

Them: Okay and where is that?

2. It’s okay though because you’re pretty proud to be going to school in the only Henniker on Earth

3. You’ve anxiously awaited River Day and prayed it would be on your busiest day

4. You’ve had a close encounter with a skunk

5. You’ve slipped down the hill going to Gilmore in the winter (or made a friend slip by desperately hanging onto them in an attempt to prevent yourself from falling)

6. Your favorite day of the week is Wednesday, or should I say, Chicken Patty Wednesday

7. You can recite the story of Ocean Born Mary

8. You know how thrilling bingo can be

9. You own about 10 tie dye T-shirts from just your freshman year

10. Bagpipes

11. You spent every hot day at the rope swing

12. And every cold one skiing, snowboarding, or tubing at Pat’s Peak

13. You can pronounce Contoocook

14. Room Selection is one of the most stressful days of the year

15. Actually class registration might be worse

16. It took you weeks to learn how to open your mailbox

17. You got in your daily run from having one class in Carriage and another 10 minutes later in the Science Building

18. You’ve been under the watchful eye of the wooden Pilgrim every time you’ve played on the turf

19. You’ve watched the campus transform and evolve right in front of your eyes (Shout out to the beautiful new John Lyons Center)

20. Most importantly, you’re full of Pilgrim Pride