Sometimes I’m walking around campus and I’m just hit with the realization that Belmont is not a normal university. Does anyone ever stop and take a minute to realize how weird it actually is? When you go home for Thanksgiving or Christmas Break and see your friends, it’s almost impossible to describe what it’s like, so you settle on “It’s basically High School Musical, but like college. Idk. You wouldn’t understand.”
1. The cafeteria has a flash mob... and everything is sung on key.
2. "Well anyway... here’s Wonderwall."
It seems like everyone can play guitar at Belmont. Remember Welcome Week freshman year when you and all of your friends "jammed on the quad" until 2 a.m. because #college?
3. Scooter = best mode of transportation.
Not a day goes by when I don't almost get run over by someone scootering the distance from the Beaman to the Johnson,because they’re so far apart, a scooter is completely necessary…
4. Students on "David Letterman" one day, in class the next.
“Hey, really loved what you said on 'Letterman' last night! Oh by the way, did we have any homework?”
5. We can record at RCA Studio B.
Students can record in a studio where over 1,000 top 10 hits were recorded by artists like Elvis, Dolly Parton and Waylon Jennings. Oh but it’s totally casual, don’t worry.
6. Belmont builds a new building, but doesn’t put the room numbers in any particular order.
Trying to find a room in the WAC is like walking around blindfolded. “2034? Oh good, I’m 2036. That should be next… oh, why is the room right next to it 2021?" It's okay, freshman, we're all just as confused as you are.
7. Vince Gill sits on the sidelines at basketball games.
Almost every home game, Vince Gill will sit right behind the team and cheer on his alma mater. You become desensitized to it after the first few games of freshman year. It's normal.
8. Practice hours.
You can get written up for practicing for your major... what kind of school does that?
9. The parking situation.
There are strict rules on where you can and where you can’t park on campus. Whatever you do, don’t violate them or you'll end up like this guy. Completely necessary, B-PO.
10. “Hey what are you doing tomorrow night? You should come to my EP release show!”
I think over half the population is made up of artists who will release a “debut EP." You can rarely log onto Facebook without seeing a Kickstarter or a “So-and-so has invited you to their show” notification. We get it. You make music.
10. Tennessee declares a state of emergency due to ice, but Belmont is still in session!
Remember that time last winter when every school was closed in the Nashville area (even Vandy!) but Belmont decided to press on and gift us with an extra day of education? Same.
11. Guys occasionally have better hair than I do.
I don’t really think this needs an explanation. It’s just a thing that happens.
12. “Is Sally here today?” “No, she’s at the Grammys.”
That time of year rolls around when half of the population of Belmont decides to skip class to go work the Grammy’s in LA like it’s a completely normal thing to do.
12. There’s a shower in the WAC on the second floor. Why...
13. Barefoot people are everywhere.
You know how some places have a “no shirt, no shoes, no service” policy? Yeah, Belmont isn’t like that.
14. “What even is Dramping?”
15. Everyone drinks out of mason jars.
Walking into class and sitting down next to a girl who has a straw in her mason jar filled with coffee doesn't really phase me anymore.
16. Accepting a friend request on Facebook and seeing they’re “self-employed” at "Singer-Songwriter."
Quick, un-friend them so you won’t be plagued with live show requests or asked to fund their Kickstarter campaign.
17. "Nashville" films on your campus.
“Oh yeah, Marissa isn’t in class today, she’s Hayden Panettiere’s stand-in on set. They’re filming in the Curb.”
18. Guys at Belmont wear tighter pants than I do.
Skinny jeans are taken to a whole new level when you realize your guy friends have on pants tighter than yours.
19. You're not sure if the person wandering campus is a homeless person or just a hipster.
When was the last time you showered?
But in all seriousness, I wouldn't trade our man-bunned, barefooted, skinny jeaned, singer-songwriter population for anything. Belmont, I love you and your weirdness.
