We are the few and mighty, the physics majors of the world. Only a select population have the skills and passion to study the wonders of the physical world and what things are made of, from the tiniest particle to the largest universe, in dimensions both confirmed and theorized. We struggle through common experiences that few understand and experience many highs and lows in our academic careers. Here are 12 feelings that all physics majors experience throughout their years in undergrad work and beyond.

1. Entering college as a physics major

Your inner optimist: "I'm going to do so much research and be best friends with every professor and discover the secrets to life!"

2. Reconsidering your choice of major about three months into your freshman year

"I think I could make it as a history major. Or maybe I should just quit school and live life as a nomad. Yeah, that sounds logical."

(Then you realize that you hate history and that you'd rather torture yourself with more than four years of physics.)

3. The face you get when you tell someone that you're a physics major

It's usually a combination of surprise, confusion, and pity.

4. The glorious curve

Even if you don't believe in God, you thank every damn omnipotent being ever devised that your physics professors grade on a curve.

5. Seeing all your friends' homework assignments...

Yes, I "only" have ten problems. Each problem takes up pretty much a full sheet of paper. I'd be more than happy to read whatever book you've got to save myself from Schrödinger. Care to trade?

6. ...then seeing the assignments of more advanced physics students

Maybe your ten problems aren't so bad after all.

7. When your professor gives you an equation sheet on an exam

This blessing is doubled if the equations are sorted by topic or chapter.

8. When you and your lab partner can't get the data to match a known equation's results

There has to be some sort of procedural error here. There's no way the error could be 800 percent. This isn't a life science.

9. When you finally get perfect results and write the greatest lab report in history

"Somebody research flights to Stockholm, because I sense a Nobel Prize is on its way."

10. Meeting an incoming freshman physics major

"Honey, you've got a big storm coming."

11. Going to an SPS meeting/department event/gathering of physics nerds

It actually feels like this sometimes. Although (unfortunately) there are generally fewer bowties and suspenders.

12. Realizing you love these nerds and are so glad to be one of them

You'll suffer through a grueling academic track if it means getting to be who you really are and to study what you love without judgement.