As a literature major, I find myself comparing my real-life surroundings to the books I'm reading. What's surprising is how many people, both good and annoying, actually do spring from the page into any college setting. Here are just a few I've found that you've probably met during any typical day on campus.
1. The Elitist - Mr. Darcy
He comes from money, and he wants you to notice. He was probably voted "Most Likely To Wear Vineyard Vines" in his yearbook class poll. Deep down he actually isn't a bad guy—if you bother to look, that is. Once he decides you're worthy, he's fiercely loyal and protective, but his shyness tends to come off as arrogance (and maybe it partly is).
2. The Know-It-All - Mr. Collins
Even though they have the best intentions (and probably make the best study buddies), it can get really annoying how much they act like they know. We get it, you've got a 4.0 GPA, you listen to NPR every weekend, and you're subscribed to educational magazines because you "love learning." But what's funniest about this student is that they never seem to actually be as smart as they think they are.
3. The Loner - Mr. Bennet
This is the one who would much rather be hiding the library or in their dorm room than having a conversation with another person. They have scholarly interests and kind of weird hobbies, but once they come out of their shell they're great at listening and giving advice.
4. The Miami Merger - Mr. Bingley
These are the hopeless romantics who are looking for their Miami Mergers from day one. When they fall in love, they fall hard, and they are some of the most thoughtful individuals you'll ever meet. Though they seem naively optimistic, you definitely need one of these in your friend group to cheer you up when you're feeling low and remind you how sweet life can be.
5. The Partier - Mr. Wickham
At first glance, they seem incredibly charming. Their high alcohol tolerance, permanent smolder, and witty comebacks seem impressive, but when you get to know them, they're the epitome of womanizers and players. But watch out! They are manipulative and will break your heart if you let them.
No matter which one of these you are, you've no doubt noticed each and every one of these people around your school. Still, it's important to remember never to judge a book by its cover until you figure out who they really are down deep. But it still begs the question: Which one of these characters are you?