Growing up in New Jersey is a unique experience. Unlike many states, New Jersey experiences all four seasons, is close to many major cities -- including NYC and Philadelphia -- and features both a beautiful coast and some of the best food in the country (all hail diner food). Some of my best memories were from my childhood in New Jersey, and here are 10 things almost every NJ native experiences growing up.
1. You wore PJs inside out and backward in hopes of a snow day.
Sometimes it worked. Other times it did not, and you still had to go to school with six inches of snow on the ground.
2. You went out on Mischief Night.
At one point you did think you were a cool, rebellious seventh grader and, yes, you did teepee your best friend's (or worst enemy's) house.
3. You took the NJ ASK and hated every minute of it.
You had to take it every year from third grade to eighth grade, and your hand was probably sore for a week because you wrote so much.
4. You listened to Bruce Springsteen.
Your parents forced you to listen to him on long car rides, but you eventually grew to love him, too.
5. You spent endless days down the shore.
This was the best way to spend a summer day. From Lavalette to Manasquan to Long Beach Island, every NJ native has a beach that is special to them.
6. You learned how to drive on pothole roads.
Between snowplows and the use of salt, roads get completely destroyed during the winter. Luckily, you learned how to maneuver around them to avoid any flat tires from the get-go.
7. The Liberty Science Center and Ellis Island were the best field trips.
They definitely beat sitting in a theatre watching a Shakespeare play for three hours.
8. You never learned how to pump your own gas.
Fun fact: Oregon is the only other state that has this law. It may be wonderful never having to get out of your car in the bitter cold weather, but you are clueless and confused on out-of-state road trips.
9. You’ve been blessed with the best bagels and pizza.
Honestly, no description is even needed here. It is just a fact.
10. You went to numerous amounts of summer concerts at the PNC Bank Arts Center.
From the Jonas Brothers in fifth grade to Luke Bryan to Wiz Khalifa in high school, you enjoyed numerous summer concerts at this venue with friends.
We may get a bad reputation from the rest of the country, but consider yourself lucky if you were fortunate enough to grow up in the beautiful state of New Jersey.
