If I’m being honest, I always planned to leave my small Alabama town as soon as I could. I hated the way everyone knew everything about everyone else. I hated that I had to travel at least two or three towns over to do anything interesting, like see a movie. And I hated the way life felt sheltered, so that I never had the chance to take risks or do anything extraordinary.
When I started school at the University of North Alabama, which took me from a city population of 2,000 to over 40,000, I realized how different bigger city life could be. I also realized, however, that growing up in that little town helped prepare me for it, in more ways than one.
1. I know the importance of a good reputation.
Whether outside the post office or in the Piggly Wiggly, you’ve probably heard bits of conversation starting with “Did you hear about…” or “Can you believe…” The conversations usually turned to gossip on some unlucky townsperson, and you might have felt bad for them. However, words of wisdom from your mama rang true: A bad reputation will follow you anywhere.
My mom always told me to watch how I treat others and to be respectful and kind always. She also taught me to be honest. Living in a small town kept me in check because I knew that if I didn’t embody these characteristics, I wouldn’t be trustworthy, and that type of reputation would follow me all over town.
2. I learned that my success is bigger than myself.
I remember the first time I came home for the weekend from UNA. Everywhere I went, people hugged me and told me how proud of me they were. Some people I knew, and some I didn’t. But they all knew me.
At first, I thought it was weird, but then I realized how special it was. People all around me were rooting for my success in school, even people I had never met. And I realized that earning my degree not only meant having a brighter future, but also honoring all of the people who support me. I realized that my success wasn’t just about me.
3. I know how to make connections.
While my family and I were getting everything ready for graduation, we decided to go a more frugal route for creating my invitations instead of ordering them from the company my school used. After the owner of the local printing press discussed pricing with my mom, he asked me about my career goals. I told him I was thinking of being a journalist, and he smiled and said he had been one for many years. He then offered to give me a few tips as well as some of his books on the topic, which I gladly accepted.
This was one of my first experiences networking, even though I didn’t know it at the time. Networking also got me access to a scholarship and advice on which college to choose. I learned that getting to know people was important, because you never know how someone can impact your life.
4. I've been a leader since elementary school.
In a small town school, there are so many groups and organizations to join and so few students to fill them. This usually means the president of one club is the secretary in another and a member in at least two more. One such club, the Beta Club, had a motto that I think embodies what it meant to be a young leader: “Lead by Serving Others.”
What I figured out about leadership is that a leader figures out what needs to be done so things work smoothly, and works alongside everyone to get it done. Whether the president or a member, everyone who got involved in some way or another in school learned what it truly meant to be a leader.
5. I figured out how to be happy.
Small towns generally don’t have the malls, movie theaters, bowling alleys or fancy restaurants seen in bigger cities. At times, this was frustrating. However, I learned to make something out of nothing and enjoy the simpler things in life.
My older brothers and I could get a bag of balloons from the dollar store and have water balloon fights for hours outside of our apartment complex. Another kid could get a basketball, and all of us would play until dinner time. I guess what that really taught me was that it wasn’t what I was doing that had the power to impact my happiness. It was who I got to spend time with.
