What Future Exonians Will Be Like
As the alums that have recently visited campus know, some things at Exeter never change. Sure, the basics are there—the rattling heating system in the Academy building and numerous diseases contracted from the Exeter River are always a trademark piece of Exeter life, but there’s something deep that runs through nearly all students. It’s something so essential, so integral to Exeter life that it’s mocked every year and, by my predictions, is something we will be able to witness during our own reunions.
It’s the prep aesthetic.
In 5, 10, 20, even 100 years the preps will maintain the same excitable, slightly sticky characteristics of youth that we’ve worked our entire lives to eradicate.
For one, the preps will still “look the look.” They’ll strap on their chokers and knee-high socks while rocking the pigtails, looking something akin to a 20 year-old that still lives at home and spends every weekend preparing for anime comic-con. Even more, strappy, five-inch heels will be in full bloom during the winter months. It’s an appearance that screams, “I’m too young to have stopped caring by now.”
The preps will also have an incredibly unique taste in pop culture. Amongst shows like Merlin and Supernatural, the preps will toootally love Sherlock and Doctor Who. (Eleven was okay, but did you see Ten? Swoon.) And have you heard that new Panic! At the Fall Out Boy album? It really just speaks to the prep class. That and The Beatles, at least.
If we visit for reunions, we will be able to catch the preps as they are getting over their prep fall relationships. You know, the Swazey-and-Stillwell’s/EP every week relationship? The one where the next level is hand holding and you’re still scared to tell your dad that you talk to people that are of a different gender? Yeah.
And the most notable thing about preps is that, somehow, they have it all together. They go to every single campus event, get their homework done before Sunday night and still call home multiple times a week. Maybe they have a lesser workload, but, despite what everyone would like to believe, preps have at least one thing going for them. Nerds.