There's nothing like growing up in a college town, campus only five minutes away. Having a university in your backyard makes your childhood and adolescence especially unique, giving you more opportunities as well as more safety hazards. These are some things that I think everyone from a college town will understand.

1. You took random summer classes as a kid.

Personally, I opted for the art and dance classes, but there was always an overwhelming amount of options. These classes were great because they were a lot of fun and it gave our parents a break.

2. Campus and the rest of the town are two very different worlds.

I didn't realize this until I came to BGSU, but it was a pleasant surprise. Trust me, don't assume that you understand campus life if you've only been around the town and vice versa.

3. The majority of the population consists of college students.

My town would be half the size that it is without its university, so college students are inescapable.

4. So. Many. Bars.

And most of these bars are 18 and over, which is a huge perk when it comes to living in a college town.

5. Almost everyone took some college classes while still in high school.

Even relatively average students may venture onto campus during their last couple years of high school. I mean, it's free and only a five-minute drive away, so why not?

6. Your parents didn't want you anywhere near downtown on St. Patrick's Day.

Drunk people are stumbling around from six in the morning until the bars close at night, so it's a nightmare unless you happen to be one of those drunk people.

7. Without the university, your town would be a hick town.

Like I said, most of the population is made up of college students, so they make the town what it is. Also, without the beauty of campus, my town would consist mainly of tiny shops and cornfields.

8. Learning to drive at night meant learning to look out for both deer and drunk college students.

Drunk people don't really care about crosswalks, so you better keep your eyes peeled for the occasional drunk jaywalker.

9. In high school, most people insisted that they would never go to your hometown college.

It's just not cool or adventurous to stay in your hometown once it's time to choose a college.

10. But, a large chunk of your graduating class ended up going there.

Let's face it, having a college in your hometown is convenient and a money saver because you can live at home. Of course, this means that running into your old high school peers on campus is a daily occurrence

11. Having a university give celebrities a reason to come to your otherwise small town.

Without your college, your town would be kind of irrelevant, but living near a college means that celebrities actually care about your town. At BGSU, anyone from President Obama to B.O.B. has made an appearance.

12. Living in a college town ultimately makes everything more interesting.

College students have always given your hometown more life and let's face it, growing up in a college town has its perks. I'm really glad that's where I grew up and I wouldn't change it for the world.