4. There is that one spot in town that everyone goes to, so you just know you'll run into someone there. | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Student Life

10 Things You Realize About Going Home To Your Small Town After A Year Of College In The City

Goodbye city college and hello small town I grew up in.

748
10 Things You Realize About Going Home To Your Small Town After A Year Of College In The City
Andi Mazzarella

In This Article:

When it came time for me to start looking for colleges, I wanted nothing to do with the small schools that are out in the middle of a cornfield. I come from a small town, and I absolutely hate it, so of course, I had to choose a big city school. I ended up choosing Temple University, and I love it there.

When it came time for summer vacation though, I of course was excited to come home and spend a couple of months with my family, see some old friends, and take a break from school work. The thing I was dreading though, actually having to come back to the town I live in.

For anyone who can relate, here are some thoughts I had during my first week home that pretty much sums up the transition from city to small hometown.

1. Cars: I actually have to drive one now.

I was so used to walking everywhere around campus, or if I had to go anywhere, I'd take an Uber, Lyft, or even the subway. The concept of having to drive a car at this point is so foreign to me.

2. Food is not in within walking distance anymore.

If I used to get hungry at 1 am, my roommates and I would get Insomnia, order pizza, or just see if anything is open. Around lunch time, we could walk across the street to the many restaurants, go to any of the dinning halls, walk across campus for other places to eat, or even go into center city. Now, I have to drive 10 minutes for the closest place to eat. This is very depressing for me.

3. "Ok, now I have to actually look appealing when I go somewhere."

At school, if I had to run to the grocery store or something, I'd walk out of my room in sweatpants and a sweatshirt. The only people I was likely to see was another person from class, who was also most likely sporting the same attire as I was. Now, I have to try when I go out. I can see people ranging from: my neighbor, my 4th-grade teacher, my high school guidance counselor, an ex, ya never know.

4. There is that one spot in town that everyone goes to, so you just know you'll run into someone there.

For me, it's an ice cream place down the street from my house called Handles. Everyone (and I really mean everyone) goes here.

5. Since it is a small town, if you see someone, you have to stop and have a 5 minute conversation on how your first year of college went.

Responses range from... "I love Temple so much, I'm so glad I picked it.", "Yes, I met a lot of friends!", "Yes, I still keep in contact with my roommates, they are pretty cool."

6. When there is that one person you see that you have not talked to in forever, and you do not want today to be the day you start again.

Dodge and run, dodge and run, dodge and run.

7. There is absolutely nothing to do.

Conversations go a little like this...

me: mom, I'm bored, want to do something?

mom: we could go see a movie.

me: is there anything else we can do?

mom: ...we can go see a different movie.

8. There is no night life, it is way too quite now.

Giphy

For a college campus that is in the city, everyone knows that the school never really gets quiet. There are always cars on Broad Street, you can hear the subway, and people are walking around campus. There is just always some type of noise. At home, I get the occasional cricket chirp at night.

9. Comparing your college experiences with the other people that went further away from home becomes a game.

All of a sudden every cool or weird thing you did during your first year at school becomes part of a bragging game.

10. There is at least one thing that you will say you like about your small town.

Though I would 100% say I am not a small town person, at all, I truly did miss the relaxation of the seasons. I always thought my area had a really pretty change of each season because of how much greenery and plants there are. I love when I came back for the summer that everything was so green and colorful. You don't see much of that in a city, though Temple really does try their best with it.

I'm ready for this summer, but can't wait to go back to my second home.

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

Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

These powerful lyrics remind us how much good is inside each of us and that sometimes we are too blinded by our imperfections to see the other side of the coin, to see all of that good.

74224
Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

The song was sent to me late in the middle of the night. I was still awake enough to plug in my headphones and listen to it immediately. I always did this when my best friend sent me songs, never wasting a moment. She had sent a message with this one too, telling me it reminded her so much of both of us and what we have each been through in the past couple of months.

Keep Reading...Show less
Zodiac wheel with signs and symbols surrounding a central sun against a starry sky.

What's your sign? It's one of the first questions some of us are asked when approached by someone in a bar, at a party or even when having lunch with some of our friends. Astrology, for centuries, has been one of the largest phenomenons out there. There's a reason why many magazines and newspapers have a horoscope page, and there's also a reason why almost every bookstore or library has a section dedicated completely to astrology. Many of us could just be curious about why some of us act differently than others and whom we will get along with best, and others may just want to see if their sign does, in fact, match their personality.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

20 Song Lyrics To Put A Spring Into Your Instagram Captions

"On an island in the sun, We'll be playing and having fun"

5859
Person in front of neon musical instruments; glowing red and white lights.
Photo by Spencer Imbrock on Unsplash

Whenever I post a picture to Instagram, it takes me so long to come up with a caption. I want to be funny, clever, cute and direct all at the same time. It can be frustrating! So I just look for some online. I really like to find a song lyric that goes with my picture, I just feel like it gives the picture a certain vibe.

Here's a list of song lyrics that can go with any picture you want to post!

Keep Reading...Show less
Chalk drawing of scales weighing "good" and "bad" on a blackboard.
WP content

Being a good person does not depend on your religion or status in life, your race or skin color, political views or culture. It depends on how good you treat others.

We are all born to do something great. Whether that be to grow up and become a doctor and save the lives of thousands of people, run a marathon, win the Noble Peace Prize, or be the greatest mother or father for your own future children one day. Regardless, we are all born with a purpose. But in between birth and death lies a path that life paves for us; a path that we must fill with something that gives our lives meaning.

Keep Reading...Show less
Health and Wellness

10 Hygiene Tips For All College Athletes

College athletes, it's time we talk about sports hygiene.

9021
Woman doing pull-ups on bars with sun shining behind her.

I got a request to talk about college athletes hygiene so here it is.

College athletes, I get it, you are busy! From class, to morning workouts, to study table, to practice, and more. But that does not excuse the fact that your hygiene comes first! Here are some tips when it comes to taking care of your self.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments