30 Things Only Duke Students Understand

Duke may have had some bad press over the past, er, ten years, but according to the 2013 US News and World Report, Duke is a Top Ten school — and its students would invariably agree. Its gothic architecture is staggering, the basketball team trounces UNC periodically, and did I mention how many distinguished alumni there are? But anyone with an internet connection could figure that out: The real Duke is something only its students can fully understand.

From the sublime (winning a Duke-UNC game) to the ridiculous (we're looking at you, Karen Owens), here's a salute to the Southern Ivy that could. Here's how you know you're a true Dukie.

YOU HAVE STRONG OPINIONS ON THE WESTERN VIBE AT SHOOTERS

And what is the deal with that mechanical bull, anyway?

YOU CALL K-VILLE HOME DURING BASKETBALL SEASON…

...EVEN IF IT MEANs A TRIP TO THE HOSPITAL FOR FROSTBITE

More like, there's a 100 percent chance it's already snowing.

YOU HAD AT LEAST ONE FRESHMAN FRIEND IN EPWORTH…

...BECAUSE THEY WERE THE Most ADORKABLE DORM

Living in that quirky little old house off East Campus will bond you for life.

YOU HAve AN A CAPPELLA CRUSH ON THE PITCHFORKS

You are (or at least know) a Cameron Crazy

There's nothing hotter than looking like a Smurf at a Duke game.

YOU LONGED FOR THE GOTHIC WONDERLAND OF FEW BUILDING

Though you probably lived at Edens Dorm.

YOU SAW AT LEAST ONE COUPLE SNEAK INTO DUKE GARDENS…

OR DRIVE BACKWARDS AROUND THE TRAFFIC CIRCLE…

OR BREAK INTO THE TUNNELS TO TICK OFF A GRADUATION REQUIREMENT

Forget traffic violations or personal safety — this is a graduation requirement we're talking about.

DUKE ALERT TEXT MESSAGES DoN'T GET A RISE OUT OF YOU anymore

Someone was robbed at 2 am off of East Campus? Eh…what else is new?

YOU NEVER QUITE UNDERSTOOD HOW THE NASHER MUSEUM OF ART FIT IN...

Um, right.

...BUT YOU STILL Take EVERY CHANCE TO ENJOY THE MANY FREE PARTIES there

THE DUKE CARD YOU STARTED OFF WITH AS A FRESHMAN won't be THE SAME CARD YOU GRADUATE WITH

Lost a Duke card or ten? Yeah, me too.

you know THE JAMES JOYCE PUB is the place FOR TRIVIA…

and that PARKER AND OTIS has the best BRUNCh

Egg sandwich, anyone?

CHUBBIES TACOS is your ULTIMATE HANGOVER CURE

The only thing that could make their carnitas and horchatas any better would be a mealtime massage.

TWINNIE'S CAFE iS YOUR go-to study spot

YOU've DISCOVERED THE SECRET TOWER BEHIND SHAEFER THEATER

...AND IMMEDIATELY DECIDED that HOGWARTS HAS NOTHING ON DUKE

Sure, there's only a couple of rooms up there with minimal cell service, but it's a secret tower!

YOU WERE ESPECIALLY EXCITED FOR PARENTS WEEKEND FRESHMAN YEAR…

...BECAUSE THE FOOD AT THE MARKETPLACE MIRACULOUSLY BECAME EDIBLE FOR THREE DAYS

Brie and fig jam wrapped in a flaky pastry crust? Where did this ingenious idea come from?

YOU've LOGGED MAJOR TIME AT LILLY LIBRARY…

UNTIL YOU DISCOVERED THE ELIZABETH E. LOCKE READING ROOM

you can't remember LDOC

Unless you woke up with a broken ankle the next day, you didn't do LDOC right. #YOLO

YOU will always REFUSE TO WEAR UNC BLUE

Duke blue looks better, anyway.

YOU HOLD YOU HANDS UP EVERY TIME A DUKE BASKETBALL PLAYER TAKES A SHOT

We're not even going to talk about the sound effects that go with the gestures.

you know DUKE PRIDE IS FOREVER

Because, no matter what, we'll always be better than UNC

Gotta love this school.

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