If you call the metropolis of Troy, Alabama, your home from August to May, you know that our town and our school has its own special feel and little quirks that make it seem like home. In my first year here at Troy, I've experienced this "at-home feel" and have recognized a few key people and places that contribute to making Troy the place that it is today. If you go to Troy already, you'll recognize almost everything on this list. If you're considering Troy as your college home, soon you will know all of these things to be true as well.

1. You know the fight song by heart.

When the Sound of the South strikes up, you're ready to belt it out.

2. You love and appreciate the Sound of the South.

Without these guys, football games and Troy, in general, wouldn't be what it is today. They devote countless hours to be one the best collegiate bands in the nation and kill it every time they perform.

3. You're involved on campus.

As opposed to some larger universities, it's almost too easy to find an organization to fit you and your lifestyle. Whether it be religious, political, Greek, or one of the other 175 clubs, you've found a way to make a difference.

4. You're more than likely Greek affiliated.

Twenty-two percent of undergraduate students at Troy have gone Greek! So, that means out of every five people you see on campus, at least one of them is Greek. Almost 1,500 in total!

5. You're a faithful Troy fan.

You may pull for Auburn or Alabama when they're playing on TV, but deep down you are rooting for the Trojans, even if we aren't having the best season.

6. You have ratemyprofessor.com saved in your favorites.

When registering for classes, advice from upperclassmen is helpful, but ratemyprofessor.com is really your best friend. With reviews from actual students that have taken the class, RMP is a reliable source for choosing teachers.

7. You've been to The Front Porch at least once.

The bar scene isn't for everyone, but you've been dragged to the Porch by your friends (or you've been called to pick them up from there) and you enjoyed it at least a little bit.

8. You know all the daily specials around town.

Wing Tuesdays, Free Cover/Pool Tuesdays, Fried Chicken Wednesdays at SAGA, WNDC, Sister's Sundays, etc.

9. You've stuffed your face at Sister's.

Sister's buffet is just like eating at grandma's house for Thanksgiving, but without the awkward conversations or having to see your cousins from backwoods Alabama.

10. You've met Dr. Kline.

Trust me, you have. You may not remember him, but he remembers you. The most outgoing professor at Troy and the head of the Leadership department, you will at least consider having a Leadership minor after talking to him once.

11. You frequent Saga and TC.

Even though you might say that you hate Saga or "the TC Chick-Fil-A just isn't the same," you can often be found swiping your card at the door at Saga or cramming down an eight-pack of nuggets between classes.

12. You get to places extra early in order to find a parking place.

Everyone knows that parking is an issue at Troy, most people end up walking or taking the ticket (they're only $10). Like Dr. Crowley always says, "A $10 ticket is worth the money if it makes you not miss a test or assignment."

13. You almost failed/actually failed the first test in Mrs. Thomas' Computer Concepts class.

It never fails, the first test average is a low "D." No lie.

14. You know all of the bands that frequent Troy's fraternity houses as well as their entire set-list.

Park Band, Trotline, Blackberry Breeze, U.S. Band, Charlie Muncaster, Kane Meredith and Neil Clayton Band can be found on any odd night either at Sigma Chi, Lambda Chi or The Porch. You can almost guarantee that there will be a "Dixieland Delight" or a "Don't Stop Believin'" played sometime throughout the night.

15. You still go to the fraternity houses even though you know what to expect.

Even though you know every member of Park Band, you still go down to the row and belt out "Twenty-One" by Corey Smith at the top of your lungs like it's your freshman year all over again.

16. You've spent all your left-over flex points at Herb's Place.

From over-priced drinks to pints of Blue Bell, your fridge is stocked at the end of the school year.

17. You've been faced with the tough decision of McDonald's versus Waffle House at 2 a.m.

You can't really go wrong with either.

18. You know that Sips on the Square is one of the few places to go to a "nicer" dinner.

Granted, they still serve pizza as their main entree, but the atmosphere, the wine bar and the quality of the food really pull together to make Sips a go-to destination when the parents are in town.

19. You've caved and bought something from Cotton Creek.

Good lord, Cotton Creek is a cool store with brands that everyone loves; however, finding something that isn't full retail price is like finding a parking place at Barnes & Noble during lunchtime: nearly impossible.

20. You know where all the thrift stores are.

Whether it is for a swap, date party, or just for vintage clothes, Troy's thrift stores are hit-or-miss when it comes to finding a diamond in the rough.

21. You only want/need to go to the library when it's closed.

Supposedly, the library hours problem is being fixed with a 24-hour library. Until then, you'll have to deal with the library closing at 11 p.m. and forcing you to cram for your exams elsewhere.

22. You never go see movies anymore unless it's on a Wednesday.

You just can't bring yourself to pay $7+ to see Jurassic World when you know it'll be $1 either this Wednesday or next Wednesday.

23. You take Homecoming, Greek Week and Dean's Cup seriously.

Even though it may be just another trophy in the case, you work your butt off to make sure that your fraternity/sorority is near the top of the list when awards are presented. Bragging rights are everything.

24. Your dresser is overflowing with Comfort Colors frocket tees.

Troy loves it's Comfort Colors T-shirts and has a new one for every activity, awards ceremony, club or game that you could think of (and you have accumulated one in every color).

25. You have grown to love Troy and couldn't imagine yourself anywhere else.

Even though it may not have been your first choice, Troy has become your second home and you have made close friends that you couldn't imagine your life without now.

Troy University has sometimes been described as a "Suitcase College" or "Transfer University" due to the amount of people that go back to their hometowns on the weekend and how often we have students use Troy as a stepping stone in their college career. However, while these stereotypes may be true for some, Troy University is really just a goldmine of opportunities for growth. Students that invest time and hard-work into themselves and the people around them often find success at Troy. As my friend Ryan Cole would say, "YOGOWYPI" or "You Only Get Out What You Put In", and this saying couldn't be truer when referring to Troy University. If you go to Troy University, you know that it has its perks and its shortcomings, but you love it all the same; and if you're considering Troy I encourage you to come see what our school has to offer and become part of the Trojan Family. I know I couldn't see myself anywhere else.