Ah, freshmen. We love ya. You keep us young and you buy us campus food, but you’re just so darn easy to pick out on campus. This isn’t a bad thing, though. The only reason we know is because we’ve all been there before. I remember being a young college student, being so full of life and hope before the world of my major classes came crashing down on me. Here are 5 ways to pick out a freshman on a campus near you:

Lanyards around the neck

This is probably the easiest way to spot a freshman in the jungle that is a college campus. It’s right around their necks for Christ’s sake. Freshmen need their student ID cards at all times to get into the dorms, to buy campus food, etc. The easiest way to keep track of it is to have it right under your face, so oftentimes you’ll see a freshman with their newly-bought-from-the-bookstore lanyard around their neck sporting their brand new student ID card. Like I said though, we’ve all been there. Here’s a photo of me as a bright eyed and bushy tailed freshman with my lanyard at a football game.

They’re still optimistic

I can always pick out a freshman by who still has life in their eyes. They still go to football games and other campus events, and they’re ready and excited for anything to come their way. Don’t worry kids, in two years you’ll be into your major and be the Debbie Downer that we all have become. I admire your enthusiasm, but I have a novel to read and two papers to write by Friday so I don’t think my dark circles are going anywhere any time soon.

They dress to the nines for everything

When I go to a party, I can tell who’s a freshman by who looks like they’re about to walk the red carpet. Us seniors have been here for a while, we know all the frat boys and have no one to impress anymore. I went to a party in my yoga pants last week, my effort was minimal. I also don’t want to be walking home in subzero temperatures in my heels and pencil skirt. I’m too old for it.

They fast walk in packs to class

Survival in numbers, right? You can tell who’s a freshman by who is walking hurriedly to their English 101 class. They also all have the same classes because, hello, general education requirements. So they walk from the dorms together. I miss the companionship, but I’ll probably stick to showing up late in my sweatpants.

They make our campus better

Like I said, we love ya. Freshmen bring a new life and energy to campus that all of us need a little more of. You keep us young and are the future of the university we have all grown to love and call a second home. Although it’s easy to poke fun, campus wouldn’t be the same without you in it.