The University of Arizona is known for its sunshine, red brick buildings and team spirit. While all of that is true, students know there's a lot more to being a Wildcat than just that. UofA likes to boast about their diversity, but there are certain things we all undeniably have in common.

Before we get back into the routine that is college life, let's take a moment to appreciate all of the amazing things the University of Arizona has given us.

Fun fact: Wilbur was originally a live wildcat named "Rufus Arizona." It wasn't until the 1960s that the costumed Wilbur we all know and love took the stage. He underwent many costume changes including a rhinestoned cowboys phase--don't judge him too harshly though, it was the 80s. Costume designers tried creating a new look for Wilbur but it came out looking too feminine, thus Wilma was born. The two wildcats had their first "blind date" on March 1st, 1986 and were married that November before the Arizona-Arizona game. This November will mark their 28th wedding anniversary. May their love inspire us all!

Before your first football game, you spend hours cutting your Zona Zoo shirt just right. You might have beaded it, cut it into a halter or crop top, but whatever you did, you are feelin' fresh walking over to the tailgates. You meet up with friends, take turns applying the wildcat paw tattoo to your cheek and walk into the tailgate of your choice (9 out of 10 times, this is the same frat you spend Thursday nights at). You don't do any of this to look good for the actual game, you do it for the pictures you take with your sisters at the tailgate. Lets be honest, as long as your Instagram caption implies you went to the game, there's no real reason to stand in the hot sun for two hours just waiting for the game to start. Besides, you were finally getting good at beer pong and the burgers are just coming off the grill! Best to stay where you are and hear about the game results from your diehard Facebook friends. Happy tailgating!

While Bursar is meant to buy your textbooks and maybe the occasional highlighter or notebook, every UofA student has taken advantage of this golden opportunity at some point during their college career (or maybe every semester). It's not that you mean to, no one ever does, but with a plethora of brands to choose from--Uggs, Toms, Victoria's Secret Pink UA clothes, Smashbox Cosmetics, Philosophy products, Vera Bradley, a Clinique counter--it's pretty near impossible to resist. For my fellow shopaholics out there, I understand that going into the Bookstore with the sole intention of picking up your books is about as realistic as making an alcoholic go through their favorite bar to pick up their dry cleaning. As if. PS Bursars ends 

4. You have waited longer than 45 minutes for a Highland breakfast burrito at 2:00 a.m.

You're calling a cab to come pick you up from a party. They ask you where you would like to be dropped off. You know you should give them the address of your dorm or sorority house...but you don't. Instead, you mutter, "take me to the corner of Sixth and Highland." Highland Market is the promise land for any late night adventurer and it's a known fact that their burritos can cure you from having a hangover. They are that good. Sure, you may gain 15 pounds alone on them (it's rumored that the tortillas have around 1,000 calories by themselves) but you will eat them each week anyways, without fail. However if you're looking to change it up, ask them to make it a burrito bagel…just trust me on this one.

5. You have skipped class at least once because it is too hot to go outside.

Some schools have snow days, we have self-proclaimed "heat days." When the temperature rises above 105 degrees, all bets are off and bikinis are on. Insider tip: get to the Rec pool early if you want to snag a spot. Better yet, make friends with someone who lives either at The District, The Levels or The Hub if you want an extra awesome day spent poolside. 

6. You have worked longer and harder on your tan than most graduate students do on their thesis.

It takes a special skill set to get the perfect tan. You need to be patient, deliberate and practice self-control--no one wants to tan too long and wake up from a midday nap looking like a piece of leather. For those of us who are naturally "porcelain" and have a tendency to burn after spending anymore than ten minutes in the sun, spray tans are always a viable option. Looking pasty in Arizona on the other hand? Not acceptable.

7. You get personally offended when someone thinks you go to "the other Arizona school," aka ASWho, aka Arizona State University.

Being a Wildcat not only means cheering on the UofA teams to victory, it also means hating the Sun Devils with every fiber in your being. Okay, so that may be a bit of an overstatement, but it isn't too far from the truth. We have a version of their fight song that puts them in a bad light just like they have one for us Cats. We sell shirts at our bookstore making fun of them (ASWho shirt anyone?) just like they have "Let's Fork 'Em" shirts to get a jab in at us. Take it from the "family traitor," when I chose The University of Arizona over ASU there was definite chaos. I still cannot sing "Bear Down" without them interjecting their version of our fight song.  While this feud is just a fun tradition rooted in healthy competition, UofA students know that enemy sympathizers will not be tolerated.

8. You have you done your makeup to go to the gym at least once, and you always spend half your time there waiting in line for a machine.

Yes, you will run into someone (or probably many someones) you know while at the gym. Yes, you will be sweaty. Get over it. There are only two types of people at the UofA gym: those who sweat, and those who observe those who are sweating. We have all seen those people on the elliptical, stepping at about 5 steps per minute, watching everyone around them do pull ups and bench presses. While I understand the appeal of this gym activity, those that are there just to work out are silently begging you to do your staring while pretending to drink water so they can get onto the machine and do some serious exercise. 

9. You've narrowly escaped death-by-bicycle on the UA Mall.

Those bikers are fast and they are everywhere. Watch your step!

10. You've contemplated how much it would hurt to get hit by the CatTran and if it would be worth the free tuition.

But then you chicken out as it passes you on Highland. Being broke is hard, but breaking all your bones is harder.

11. You have gone shopping exclusively for a "going out wardrobe" after you realized flats and shorts just won't cut it at the frats.

The first night you went to the frats, you were probably picked up by an older member of your sorority and told to go back inside and change. Or in most cases, you just borrowed something to wear as this was pre-going-out-wardrobe-shopping. If this didn't happen to you, then you are most likely ***flawless. Going to the frats in six inch heels and tight dresses has taught you how to walk across gravel and grass in heels, how to run/dance in heels, and how to fall gracefully when those heels inevitably turn against you as you fall down on the sticky floor. Better start yelling, "timber!" because you, my friend, you are going DOWN.

12. Pool party season lasts half of the year.

Everyone at The University of Arizona knows that summer is the time to work on your natural tan for Fall semester pool parties, and that winter is the time reserved for working on your spray tan. You own at least six swimsuits, and they are well-worn by the end of the season. The Seasons pool party gets busted every semester but you go anyway, hoping to make the I'm Schmacked video that will be posted later that week. 

13. You either witnessed or were a part of the riot after the UA basketball team's loss during March Madness.

And madness it was! With the police blocking the streets within a mile radius of campus and teams of policemen wearing protective masks roaming University Boulevard, there wasn't much to do but sit back and watch in astonishment as people broke glass, yelled profanity and got physically upset--no devastated--to see their team lose a game. 

14. Dead Day Eve is considered a bigger holiday than New Year's Eve--and probably is more fun.

Dead Day, known by campus facility as "Reading Day," is the day before the start of Finals week. It's meant as a time to mentally prepare and study before your exams...however in reality, it's the day meant to nurse your hangover from the night before spent, "relieving yourself of pre-finals jitters." Everyone goes all out for Dead Day Eve, making it one of the most cherished UA "holidays."

15. You have road tripped to Rocky Point and/or San Diego and/or Las Vegas with your friends.

Whether it's for Spring Break or a long weekend, if you go to the UofA, you have absolutely visited one of these cities with your friends. If you haven't yet, chances are good you will before you graduate. If you're thinking to yourself, "nah, not for me," then you need to take a look at your priorities and reevaluate your college life. After graduating, going on weekend trips like these are less accessible and less acceptable. Take advantage of living right next to all of your best friends and make some memories before you go your separate ways.

16. You find yourself in Tucson, AZ…why else would you be there?

Tucson is rich in culture and has some seriously good eating, but the main reason anyone would be in Tucson (if they didn't already live there) is for the UofA. The people of Tucson live for UA Sports almost as much as the athletes themselves. There are no professional sports teams in Tucson, so the UofA supplies all of the sports action. Our basketball team was ranked #1 in the nation for over three months this past Spring, and our baseball team won the national championship back in 2012. 

17. You hum along to "Bear Down" as the clock strikes noon each day.

If you don't know the story of John "Button" Salmon and his famous last words that inspired both a motto and fight song, then I don't know if you can consider yourself a Wildcat quite yet. If you want to learn the whole story, check it out here:  The Legacy of John Button Salmon.

18. Seeing Panda Express, Burger King, and Chick Fil' A in "the real world" make you squeamish.

You will never eat more waffle fries than a freshman student at the University of Arizona. Same goes for Panda's chow mien, Papa John's Pizza and milkshakes from The Cellar. CatCard money seems more like Monopoly money because it doesn't feel like you're losing money, making overeating very easy to do. You've stopped hearing your mom's voice in the back of your head saying, "the potato is not considered a vegetable when it's deep fried in grease," right around the time those fries, pizza and milkshakes begin to lose their appeal. The Freshman 15 starts to make its appearance, and you can no longer stand the thought of pizza for both lunch and dinner. Don't worry, it gets better. While those Student Union restaurants are going to be unappealing for at least a year after you finally discover healthy campus foods, you will be able to return someday and reminisce about the times when you could eat an entire pizza by yourself.

19. You know Homecoming and Spring Fling week are really just an excuse to party every night of the week (but we pretend like they are actually SUPER important to us).

There are themes for the night, and activities for the day. Paint war anyone?...What could go wrong? Each semester, sororities and fraternities pair up to celebrate both Homecoming in the Fall and Spring Fling in the Spring. Advice: do all homework that's due that week ahead of time, or else expect it not to be turned in. You thought Spring break was the only week reserved for day and nightlong fun? Think again.

20. You know without a doubt that you go to the best university.

The school pride, the traditions and the people are only a few of the things that make the University of Arizona great. We all know in our heart of hearts that we hit the jackpot when we decided to become a Wildcat for life.