Each college campus has a defining features, things that all of the students can relate to. We may be known for our awesome baskeball team, but KU is so much more than that. I think that in my time at KU I finally figured out what makes it different and special from other campuses. Even though we are in the middle of nowhere you still see a diverse population from around the country. So… what makes KU so awesome? Here is a list of places and things I’ve compiled that makes KU stand out from other universities.
1. Jayhawks are everywhere. We are the only university to have the jayhawk as our mascot. We don our Jayhawk pride everywhere, including everything from sculptures, t shirts, backpacks, shorts, etc,. You name it, we probably have a Jayhawk on it.
2. Crimson and blue clothing is frequent. KU students love wearing the color of our alma mater. Not wearing blue or red on a gameday is kind of a sin on campus.
3. Wescoe Beach is the epicenter of all the activity. Whether it’s clubs promoting events or mini performances by the KU students, there is always something going on at Wescoe Beach. My favorite is when the hot dog man sets up his stand.
4. You walk up and down hills or stairs all day long. They don’t call them KU legs for nothing. In my opinion, KU students have the best calves (I’m not biased or anything…).
5. Squirrels become your best friends. They are everywhere on campus, there is not a place you can walk without see the squirrels! They even have their own Twitter account (@KUSquirrels). If that’s not legitimate, then I don’t know what is.
6. We have the best student section in the nation. Countless people have commented on how Allen Fieldhouse is the best place to play because the student section is always so hyped up. It’s a tradition to camp out for basketball games here. It’s not just a game, it’s a religion.
7. Did I mention…. basketball?
8. There’s always been the urge to just dive into the Chi- O fountain. (…Okay, by “urge” I really mean “tendency.”)
9. There are multiple people who try to hand you a bible while you’re on your way to class and you have to smile and deny them politely. If you’re like me you just avoid them all together by staring at the ground and pretending you don’t see them, and the shortcut through Wescoe helps also.
10. 4 words: Crunchy Chicken Cheddar Wrap. It’s a little piece of heaven, and if you haven’t had one yet then drop what you’re doing and go get one NOW. (Really, though. Right now.)
11. Late night delivery is your saviour. Jimmy John’s? Pizza Shuttle? The sky is the limit.
12. Anschutz is your home during finals week. If you haven’t gone through a finals week here yet, then you’ll understand what I mean by this soon enough. It is the mecca of all study places. Nap time at the library? No one is judging. We’ve all been there.
13. Reading the UDK is part of your daily routine. Not because it’s the best college newspaper in the nation (or is it?), but the FFA makes my day a little better. I mean the amount of flirting that goes in there makes me chuckle every time.
14. It’s the whistle heard around the world. Just kidding, but really the end of class whistle can be heard throughout Lawrence. I remember being a freshman and being so annoyed at that sound every time I was trying to nap. As a senior, I’ve grown used to it and will miss it after I leave Lawrence.
15. You get real starstruck when you meet a KU basketball player. I mean they aren’t really that famous, but to us they are celebrities. If they were cliques in college, they would be the cool kids that we all worship. Oh wait, we already do that!
(Exhibit A: Laura Fagen, HerCampus KU VP, forcing three basketball players to take a picture with her. It happens to us all.)
16.Knowing how to Wave the Wheat and the the Rock Chant is a must.
We may not have a view of the ocean or be in the biggest city in the United States. But Lawrence has an undeniable charm that only KU students can attest to. With our awesome traditions and spirited students, our campus truly is unique, in its own way. ROCK CHALK!!
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