Being a student at the University of Mary Washington is one of the best things that happens in its students' lives. The relatively small campus and a nearby downtown area with so many cute shops and restaurants is idealistic. Not only is the area amazing, the people at UMW are some of the best people you'll ever meet. From professors to administrators, to all of the students and staff, the people at UMW are hands down what make it such a wonderful place to learn and live. There are a lot of things that make UMW what it is. Here are 20 things that UMW students (and staff) know to be true.

1. You bench-sit and know it’s famous enough to be in the Urban Dictionary.

2. You hang out on Ball Circle during the good weather (and probably play Frisbee or throw a ball around).

3. You been in the fountain at least once, probably by Fall Break of your first year. You'll be taking a dip whenever it's hot enough and you have time. Even dogs sometimes jump in.

4. Fridays are your favorite because of Dora yelling “IT’S FRIDAY!!” and blowing her whistle at lunch. Fridays are also your favorite because it’s Nug Night!

5. The President or a Dean have stopped and had a conversation with you on Campus Walk or you've friended them on Facebook because they actually care and take the time to get to know you.

6. You practically don’t need to pack shirts for school because you’ll get so many free event shirts or club shirts throughout the year.

7. You’ve been to Carl’s or Wally’s another local ice cream place and have a favorite that you will defend to anyone who doesn’t agree.

8. You’ve had most of your major’s professors multiple times by your junior year and know them pretty well. You also start to have a lot of the same classmates in your classes.

9. You go to the river during the hotter parts of the school year and see half the school.

10. You know about each downtown restaurant’s special night, like Cap Ale’s Monday burger night.

11. You know to look for Dean Rucker in his Pooh Bear costume handing out candy on Halloween.

12. You know Homecoming is one of the busiest weeks of the year. Between the bonfire, games/tailgating, Historic Preservation Club's Ghost Walk and other events, who has time for homework?

13. You have avoided the big seal on the floor of Trinkle like the plague so you don’t get cursed and fail to graduate on time.

14. You have more blue, white and gray clothing than you could have imagined before coming to UMW.

15. You are very likely to see at least one dog being walked on campus regardless of what time of the day (or night) it is.

16. You watch you email like a hawk whenever there is a chance of snow, waiting for the email from Marty Morrison, aka the Snow Day God.

17. You know that if you don’t line up really early for Lip Sync, you might not get a seat.

18. You can’t walk on campus without seeing a dozen squirrels.

19. One of the best parts of spring semester is Devil-Goat Day and rooting for your team (go Devils!!)

20. You dread summer and leaving your friends and campus because you love everyone and everything so much and don’t want to be separated for months.