As a college student in Normal, Illinois, stretching your budget is essential. Fortunately, there are plenty of student discounts available around town, from food and entertainment to tech services and transit. Here’s a guide to the best deals to help you save money while getting the most out of your college experience.
Adobe Creative Cloud
For students working on creative projects or pursuing fields in graphic design, video editing, and other digital arts, Adobe offers a special discount on its Creative Cloud. This suite includes popular apps like Photoshop, Illustrator, and Premiere Pro. Students can access the entire suite for around 60% off, making it affordable to develop their skills in these industry-standard tools.
Best Buy Student Deals
Best Buy offers exclusive student deals through its College Student Deals program. By signing up with your student email, you can receive discounts on laptops, tablets, headphones, and other essential electronics. This is a great opportunity for students in need of tech upgrades to find high-quality devices at reduced prices.
Spotify + Hulu Bundle
For just $5.99 a month, students can get Spotify Premium, which includes ad-free music streaming and offline playback, plus Hulu’s streaming plan with limited commercials. This bundle provides students access to a vast library of music and popular TV shows at an affordable price.
Illinois State University Athletics
ISU students get discounted tickets to all Redbirds athletic events, providing an affordable way to support their teams. With these discounted prices, you can cheer on your favorite teams, build school spirit, and enjoy exciting games without straining your budget.
Amazon Prime Student
Amazon Prime Student offers a six-month free trial, which includes free two-day shipping and access to streaming on Amazon Prime Video. After the trial, students can continue their Prime membership at a 50% discount. It’s perfect for students who want convenient and quick delivery on essentials.
Normal Theater
Catch the latest releases and classic films at the Normal Theater, a beloved community fixture. With student tickets priced at just $5 (compared to the $7 general admission), it’s an affordable way to unwind with friends or enjoy a solo movie night. Just remember to bring your student ID for the discount.
Sugar Mama Bakery
Located in Bloomington, Sugar Mama Bakery offers a sweet deal for students. From 3 to 7 p.m. on Mondays, get a free mini cupcake with any purchase. Enjoy a homemade treat from this family-owned bakery as a reward after a long day of classes.
Free Computer Repairs at TechZone
ISU students can take advantage of free computer repairs at the TechZone, located in the Bone Student Center. The TechZone team helps students with issues like connecting to Wi-Fi, removing viruses, and performing hardware repairs. They also offer discounted computer accessories, making TechZone a one-stop shop for all tech-related needs on campus.
Free Bus Rides with Connect Transit
Getting around Normal and Bloomington is made easy with Connect Transit’s free bus rides for students. With routes covering the whole area and the convenient Redbird Express looping through campus every 20 minutes, it’s an ideal way to commute, shop, and get to work without needing a car. During the fall and spring semesters, the bus service extends its hours on Fridays and Saturdays until 3 a.m.
Career Prep Tools at the Career Center
ISU’s Career Center helps students prepare for their future with a variety of career resources, including free resume paper, business cards, and private interview rooms. These resources are essential for students preparing for interviews or professional networking events, and they ensure that students have everything they need to make a strong impression.
Free Flu Shots at Student Health Services
To help students stay healthy during flu season, ISU’s Student Health Services offers free flu shots. By staying vaccinated, students can avoid the flu’s disruptive impact on their studies and prevent spreading illness to others on campus.
Bone Student Center Discounts
Show your Redbird pride on Fridays by wearing a Fear the Bird shirt to the Bone Student Center. Students can enjoy discounts on beverages from Starbucks and McAlister’s, free chips and salsa at Qdoba, and discounts at the ISU Barnes & Noble. The specific discounts change each Friday, so wear your shirt each week to make the most of these rotating incentives.
Whether it’s discounts on food, transportation, tech, or professional resources, these perks can help students at ISU save money and enjoy a more fulfilling college experience. Be sure to take advantage of these deals to keep your budget in check while making the most of your time in Normal.
