Maybe it’s the money-saving college kid culture I’ve fallen into, but I’m always on the hunt for good student discounts. You have to admit, getting a spiffy discount for your student status is really satisfying. Sure, it might not be a huge discount, but every penny counts.

But with great power (your student ID) comes great responsibility (finding places that offer discounts). Well, lucky for you, I’m here to fill in the spaces that I’ve seen my college peers frequent.

Disclaimer: None of the businesses mentioned below are associated with Middle Tennessee State University and have not paid advertising or sponsorship dollars to be included in this article. This list is purely based on my recommendations as a student of the university and resident of Middle Tennessee. Enjoy!

Food

Photo courtesy of Donut Country

The first thing we think of when we hear “student discount” is food. Murfreesboro’s continuing growth keeps bringing new restaurants, so surely some offer discounts for hungry college students, right? Right, and here are a few where your student ID is welcome.

• Chick-fil-A (2005 Old Fort Parkway, Murfreesboro), which offers a free soft drink with your meal.

• Chipotle (479 N Thompson Lane, Murfreesboro), which offers a free soft drink with a purchase.

• Donut Country (two locations — 1311 Memorial Blvd. and 1691 Middle Tennessee Blvd., Murfreesboro), which trims 10% off your purchase.

• Far East Restaurant (1529 E. Main St., Murfreesboro), which gives students a $1 discount on purchases.

• Slick Pig BBQ (1920 E. Main St., Murfreesboro), which takes 10% off your purchase.

A little side blurb: If you’ve been at MTSU long enough, you’ve probably heard people saying, “Let’s go to DoCo!” and you think “What in the world is ‘DoCo’?” Donut Country — or “DoCo”— is a little local treasure of Murfreesboro, a family-owned doughnut shop that may be one of the most college-friendly places around. Owner Kristy Davis says they welcome anyone from the MTSU community.

“We love to support the community, and part of the community is MTSU. We would love to have all the MTSU students come in here on a regular basis; that’s why we offer the 10% discount with an MTSU ID. We have Wi-Fi that [students] can hook up to, have a cup of coffee and study. It fills my heart when I come in and I see the tables full.”

Entertainment and shopping

Photo Courtesy of Premiere 6 Facebook Page

Whether you’re on the hunt for thrifted clothes or cheap entertainment, student discounts are abundant in all kinds of businesses.

• Amazon Student Prime offers a membership that’s free for the first six months, then $59 per year with proof of university enrollment.

• AMC Movie Theater (2626 Cason Square Blvd., Murfreesboro) discounts evening show tickets for students to $12.69.

• Apple Music is available for $4.99 per month with verification of university enrollment.

• Premier 6 Theatre (810 NW Broad St., Suite 200, Murfreesboro) discounts student tickets to $8 after 5:45 p.m.

• Spotify Premium, which also includes Hulu and Showtime, is available for $4.99 a month with a valid university email address.

• Goodwill (710 Memorial Blvd., Unit 180, Murfreesboro, TN 37129) gives students 10% off purchases.

And don’t forget: La Siesta, Old Chicago, Sam’s Sports Bar and Grill, Coconut Bay Cafe, The Boulevard, Mellow Mushroom and plenty of other local businesses offer free trivia nights throughout the week!

Attractions

Photo courtesy of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum Facebook page

Want to explore outside Murfreesboro? A 30-minute drive to Nashville can provide some fun days out at affordable prices. Check out:

• Adventure Science Center (800 Fort Negley Blvd., Nashville) — At first glance, The Adventure Science Center may look like it’s geared to kids, but with multiple interactive exhibits and rotating temporary exhibits, the Adventure Science Center has plenty to offer all ages, For a few extra bucks, the planetarium shows are well worth the visit.

• Cheekwood Botanical Gardens (1200 Forrest Park Drive, Nashville) — The Cheekwood Botanical Gardens are a great place to visit if you want to feel like you’ve stepped into an episode of Downton Abbey. For a reduced price with your student ID, you get access to the beautiful art exhibits inside the Cheekwood mansion as well as the 13 different gardens around the estate.

• Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum (222 Fifth Ave. S., Nashville) — What’s life in Middle Tennessee without a visit to the world’s largest collection of country music history? You can immerse yourself in country music in an architecturally fascinating building, and if you’re also into the technical side of music, you can make it a combo tour and visit Nashville’s oldest surviving recording studio, RCA Studio B, nearby at 1611 Roy Acuff Place, where Elvis Presley and hundreds more music legends have recorded.

• Frist Art Museum (919 Broadway, Nashville) — Located in the heart of downtown Nashville, the Frist Art Museum has some gorgeous exhibits constantly on rotation. Whether it’s room-sized installations or a classic impressionist painting, the Frist is a hidden gem that consistently provides access to beautiful works at a decent price.

• Nashville Symphony (One Symphony Place, Nashville) — If you want a night to dress fancy and hear some Tchaikovsky or Bernstein, the Nashville Symphony offers $10 tickets to students for select concerts throughout the season. You’ll need to register on their website to get access, but it’s well worth the effort.

Author Trianne Newbrey is a senior at MTSU, majoring in integrated studies in the University College with minors in music industry and public relations. The views and opinions expressed above are her own and don’t necessarily reflect the official policies or positions of Middle Tennessee State University.