History students are an interesting breed. Toeing the line between art and social science, these budding academics go crazy for anything which can be seen as the past - which is pretty much everything.
Observers (or history-shamers) often don't take it seriously, not understanding why you would want to learn about a load of old dead people to which many may heartily reply: "Those who control the present, control the past and those who control the past control the future", or, that old favourite: "Those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it."
But is that really what they're all about? Surely they just love the smell of old books, the sauciness hidden amongst old language and events, the turbulent and intertwined relationships which can make studying history better than an episode of EastEnders.
You'll quickly find your niche interest and stick to it. "History of the powderpuff?!" they'll say, "surely, that's not a thing..." but you will smugly turn around and talk the talk about micro-history and how there are so many different aspects of history that they couldn't even hope to comprehend.
The classic student stereotype of history students is a woollen jumper-clad, floppy-haired and softly-spoken young individual who can usually be found trawling around the archival section of the library. One of these on your team will win you your local pub quiz.
Yes, there's a lot of reading, and writing, and referencing, but if you're accepted into this wonderful sect of history boffs there are just a few things you'll quickly get to grips with - things only those who study history can truly understand.
20 Things Only History Students Will Understand
#1 JSTOR and Google Scholar are your saviour(01 of20)
Open Image ModalAnywhere when you can access your reading online is like a treasure chest for you (credit:jstor.org)
#2 You've had enough of learning about the Nazis(02 of20)
Open Image ModalYes, you understand their significance and accept why they can be fascinating, but you've had it drilled into you throughout your whole education - give it a rest! (credit:Getty)
#3 And the Cold War(03 of20)
Open Image Modal (credit:Getty)
#4 Footnotes and bibliographies are the bane of your life(04 of20)
Open Image ModalEspecially having to alphabetise. (credit:Getty)
#5 When doing reading you find yourself reading exactly the same thing by about eight different authors(05 of20)
Open Image ModalRepetition is so dull, so dull, so dull. (credit:Getty)
#6 You ALWAYS read book reviews to decide whether the book is worth reading(06 of20)
Open Image ModalThey cut out all the boring bits and leave in all the juicy stuff - it's not cheating, it's being resourceful! (credit:Getty)
#7 You immediately hate anyone who associates History with being a 'flimsy subject'(07 of20)
Open Image Modal (credit:Getty)
#8 You're constantly reminding people that history isn't all about dates and battles(08 of20)
Open Image Modal (credit:Getty)
#9 But feel really smug when you remember the date of an important event(09 of20)
Open Image Modal (credit:Getty)
#10 Assessing the reliability of primary sources is more fun than reading Heat magazine(10 of20)
Open Image Modal (credit:Getty)
#11 You spend all night trying to finish seminar readings(11 of20)
Open Image Modal... and then kick off when they aren't even mentioned (credit:Getty)
#12 People are constantly asking you: "Why does it matter? It's all in the past."(12 of20)
Open Image Modal (credit:Getty)
#13 You despair when people ask you what job you'll get with a history degree(13 of20)
Open Image Modal... and usually you don't know the answer (credit:Getty)
#14 You've spent half of your student loan on books and printing(14 of20)
Open Image Modal... reading on screen hurts your eyes and your annotations are dear to your heart (credit:Getty)
#15 Original sources make you wish your handwriting was cooler(15 of20)
Open Image Modal (credit:Getty)
#16 You cried when Eric Hobsbawm passed away(16 of20)
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#17 You can't watch films anymore without criticising their historical accuracy(17 of20)
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#18 You think this man is a fool(18 of20)
Open Image Modal... or something along those lines (credit:Getty)
#19 Before taking history you though you'd have lots of free time(19 of20)
Open Image ModalWhat you imagined being a history student was all about (credit:Getty)
#20 Now you realise that most of the free time you have is spent in the library(20 of20)
Open Image ModalWhat being a history student is really all about (credit:Getty)