When it comes to Bloomington-Normal, there are many outstanding factors that any Illinois State student can say are unique to our college town (and maybe others too). Proud or not, we Redbirds know all the ins and outs of Blono.

1. The wait for Buffalo Wild Wings is always going to be long on Thursday nights.

As hard as we try, it's nearly impossible to resist the 69-cent wings on a college student budget. Plus, they are always delicious!

2. Another inevitable wait — the line at The Pub II on Wednesdays.

Especially when it is warm out, the line to get into Pub Wednesday is always out the door and down the street. The key to getting in as quick as possible (or so I have heard) is to go earlier rather than later.

3. Your feet will automatically stick to the floor at Chasers.

No matter what, the Chasers floor will always resemble a frat basement with an extra layer of stickiness. Try not to wear nice shoes there unless you want them to be on a whole new level of disgusting after you leave.

4. The only place busier than The Alamo II during finals week for book returns is Chipotle on Halloween.

Another impossible food deal to resist is the Boorito! Paying $3 for a burrito as long as you are dressed up in a costume is a pretty sweet deal in my mind, and that is coming from a true Chipotle addict.

5. The. Train. Never. Stops. Choo-chooing.

Anyone who has lived on the more southern side of campus knows that if a train is coming through town, you will not hear only one blow of the horn, but what seems like about 17 choo-choos. Especially at night (ugh).

6. The wind tunnel never gets better, and you never get used to it.

Chicago may be called the Windy City, but whoever decided on that has clearly never been to Bloomington-Normal. And best of luck to you if you're trying to keep an umbrella from flipping in that wind.

7. Your friends are either from a suburb of Chicago or a small town in Illinois — there is rarely an in between.

Those locations seem to be the only places of residence that ISU students ever come from. Though seldom to find, there are a handful of out-of-state students, so shout out to the unicorns of the Ilstu!

8. You know and probably love a bearded man named Bill Shields.

Whether you take GEO 102 or not, you know who this man is, and you know that he is da bomb. Plus, who doesn't love a teacher with a passion for rocks and has a wizard beard?

9. The squirrels on the quad double as our second mascot and wannabe pets.

Everyone has at least tried to put a video or picture on Snapchat of the squirrels who have no shame in coming close to you or jumping out of garbage cans. And maybe even tried to sneak them into your backpack to take home.

10. The only time you really find yourself at the library is for a group project or during finals preparation.

Although Club Milner is a wonderful resource to be used for many aspects of school, you really only go if you have to when working on a project with a group or once you feel obligated to get your life together when finals roll around.

11. You can spot a freshman a mile away if they have on their Fear The Bird shirt along with a lanyard around their neck.

It's a sure-fire sign that there is a new kid on campus if they have one or both of those things on. Try not to laugh too much, because you know you did the same thing when you first moved in too.

12. The Normal Police Department has collected $275 from you.

Although drinking before you are 21 is, in fact, illegal, apparently some people still do it, and you'll have a hard time getting away with it when the police of Normal are around. Most easily busted places are big parties at the Lodge and any loud drinking in the dorms (you've been warned).

13. Last, but not least, is that you just don't know what you would've done if you went anywhere else.

With all the highs and lows of Blono, you know you still love ISU. You've had great time and met amazing people, so is there really that much to complain about?

From freshmen to seniors, you will come into contact with most or probably all the things I just listed regarding Illinois State. There may be variations of the points mentioned at other colleges, but nothing will ever be quite like the good ol' Ilstu.