So you’re not sure if you’re an Auburn student, huh? Well, let me try to help you out. Have you noticed yourself screaming War Eagle randomly in public? Has your wardrobe suddenly turned completely orange and blue? If you’re still undecided, here are some definitive ways to prove you are, once and for all, an Auburn student.

1. You look forward to walking past the Smooth Groove truck on your way to class to jam out (in your head) to whatever song is playing.

2. The white tents going up on Thursdays signals the weekend (and game day) is near.

3. You know where the best place to buy a two-dollar slice of pizza is. (Hint: it’s not on campus)

4. You realize that nearly every t-shirt you own has some sort of Auburn symbol on it.

5. Thinking about getting lunch after your eleven o’ clock class on campus gives you anxiety.

6. You pray every semester that you won’t have a class in Parker or Haley because you always get lost and can never find the bathrooms.

7. Aubie the Tiger is your best friend, and you’re not ashamed of it.

8. Fall is a sacred time of the year.

9. You know you have to set aside a block of about 30 minutes if you want Starbucks.

10. The 2-foot tall brick wall blocking your direct path to the Student Center is the bane of your existence.

11. You stock up toilet paper in a manner that no normal human being would.

12. You take extra precautions to avoid a certain seal (at least until you graduate).

13. Looking at Samford lite up at night gives you a sense of pride.

14. You know better than to go downtown on the weekend (let alone a game day weekend).

15. You’ve accepted that early morning classes are pretty much a part of life.

16. You know that rolling trees is a tradition, not vandalism.

17. Speaking of traditions, you always secretly hope that Nova, and not Spirit will be flying pre-game (Spirit, you know what you’ve done).

18. You know the words to every cheer and nearly every song the band plays.

19. When you see high-school students on campus you RUN in the opposite direction.

20. You’ve called the Foy desk at least once and asked some obscure question, just because.

21. Speaking of Foy, you’ll never forget their number (33Foy-8FoyFoy-Foy2FoyFoy).

22. When someone reads the creed aloud you have to stop yourself from starting to tear up (it’s really inspirational, okay?)

23. You know where you can park on campus at what time and not get towed.

24. You know that wearing red on campus is a taboo.

25. There’s never any confusion when someone says “weagle” “weagz” or “wde.”

26. You’re always planning your next game day outfit.

27. When you’re on vacation and you see people wearing Auburn paraphernalia you yell “War Eagle” at them.

28. You know what the meaning of a “true fan” is.

29. When you see someone walking to class with only a blue scantron you say a prayer for them in your head.

30. You always have an umbrella with you, because you know that regardless of what the forecast says, there’s always a chance of rain.

31. And finally, you know you’re an Auburn student if you’ve ever ended any fun saying or caption with “& love it.”

What is Auburn?

Far be it from me to try to answer that question. There are as many definitions of Auburn there are Auburn men and women.

It would be safe to say, however, that Auburn is much more than a football game. It is much more than winning and losing.

It is a spirit. It is an attitude. It is a way of looking at life and at one another. It is, almost, a way of living. Unless you have experienced it, you will never know what it is; you will never understand it. Once you have experienced it, you will never be the same. A part of you will, forevermore, be an Auburn man or an Auburn woman.

-David Housel