16 Signs You Go To School In Chicago | The Odyssey Online
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16 Signs You Go To School In Chicago

There's no place quite like it.

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16 Signs You Go To School In Chicago
Danielle Church

Whether you're going to a university to get your undergraduate, graduate, or doctorate (go you!) degree, there's no doubt Chicago is one of the best places you can choose to study. Throughout your journey in the city, there will be a few signs to show just how much you've adapted to your new surroundings.


1. When you go back home, you miss the noises of the city.

The screeching noises from the "L" trains, constant ambulance and police sirens, excessive amount of honking from terrible city drivers, and pedestrians yelling at those drivers for not letting them cross the street has trained your ears. If you're not going back home to another big city, it just seems too quiet.

2. There's a Chicago flag somewhere in your apartment.

Do you even live in Chicago if you don't have the flag hanging up somewhere?!

3. Public transportation is your go-to.

When people tell you they have a fear of the "L" or some other form or public transportation, this is what you look like. You aren't even sure where they're coming from, because it's the only way you even get around the city. In fact, you've gotten so used to the "L," Metra trains, buses, and Divvy bikes, that sometimes you forget what it's like to actually drive your own car

4. Walking more than three miles a day has become nothing.

Your Fitbit reaches your goal halfway through the day, because that's how much you're on your feet. In fact, when people complain about having to walk everywhere, you feel like they are the laziest people you've ever met. What do they mean when they say they'd rather take a taxi when it's only a 10-minute walk to Millennium Park? Chances are you won't even take that long anyway, because you look a little something like this..

Trying to make the next train on time and slow walking tourists and have trained you to become a speed walking champion.


5. Pizza has become a balanced part of your diet, especially if it's Lou's.

Chicago college students don't survive off ramen, they survive off pizza. They call it Chicago deep dish for a reason, and Lou Malnati's comes through every time. Whether it's breakfast, lunch, or dinner, you're down for pizza anytime of the day. In fact, you probably have Lou's or Giordano's on speed dial.

6. Tourists are your worst nightmare.

Walking behind a tourist is like waiting for a turtle to cross the street. We get they're on vacation and all, but for some reason, they think the world stops, and they move extremely slowly because of it. Not kidding, they will stop right in front of you to take a picture of something.

7. But tourists make you confident as hell when they ask you for directions.

"Do you know where (insert place) is?"

Of course.

8. You have friends at other Chicago universities.

You're probably dominating the dance floor while partying at Loyola, DePaul, UIC, Northwestern, University of Chicago, etc. every so often, when you visit friends that go there.

9. You feel bad for people who go to school in the middle of nowhere.

Being in a city that has so much going on all the time has made you question how people can go to school in the middle of nowhere. What's there to do when all you have around you are miles and miles of cornfields? If you were forced to transfer there, you'd look something like this.

10. Your Instagram is full of pictures praising Chicago for its beauty.



Your Instagram account could probably be used by a travel agency to attract people to Chicago because of the amount of photos you have of the skyline.

11. You're way too used to hearing "the city is your campus."


You've heard it multiple times since orientation, but for some reason, people will continue to act like you've never heard it before.

12. Lakeshore Drive is your workout destination.

When you can finally get back outside after the brutal winter, the perfect place to get in your workout is Lakeshore Drive. There's no better place to go for a run, considering you're right on the beach and you get a perfect skyline backdrop.

13. You know all the cool spots.

When people think of Chicago, they usually think of the traditional tourist spots, such as the Sears Tower, Navy Pier, Michigan Ave., etc. You don't really go to those places though, because you're too busy finding some of Chicago's hidden treasures, like Pick Me Up Cafe, Mexican art and restaurants in Pilsen, or the bars in Wrigley.

14. You've given up on looking good in the winter.

You've learned to accept that looking like a bear during the winter is just something you have to do to make the Chicago winds less painful. Screw looking good, I'm with Ron Swanson on this one.

15. You never ever forget your headphones when leaving the house.

God forbid you leave your headphones at home by accident. Because you're constantly traveling around the city, and you're not always with your friends to talk to, you've learned that music makes the time go by faster. Even better, you can jam out to that new song you've been obsessed with lately, and get really into it while people-watching on the train or walking around the city.

16. There's no place else you'd rather be.

You're so thankful you've met the people you have in Chicago, and that you get to spend every day in such an amazing place. You continue to be reminded each and every day why you chose to come to school here and honestly, no city will ever compare.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
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