Growing up in a college town hasn't always been easy, but it sure has been fun! The South Eastern Conference is the best conference in the nation! There is never a game that isn't exciting to watch whether it is football, baseball, or basketball.
Ever since I was born I have lived in Oxford, MS where The University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) is located. Living across the street from campus, I have made some of the best memories. Every night around 6 p.m. during football season, you can hear the band practicing the songs they will be playing at the games. I used to sit out on the porch before dinner with my grandmother, Jackie, listening to the band practice.
There is never a day that you don't see a college student. Literally. Some can be nice and some can be mean, but it's just part of living in a college town. The best part about the students in my community is the amount of community service they do. Our town wouldn't be half as nice if it wasn't for the student organizations that help our community.
Game days is a whole different story. I love game days in the Grove and at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. I love seeing everyone get hyped for our football team and our school. It is one of the most exciting experiences ever. When I bring my friends from out of town to a football game, they never want to leave. No doubt, going to a game in an SEC college town will make you rethink about where you are attending college.
The stores and restaurants. There are a ton of places to eat in a college town, so you never really run out of places to eat, especially in Oxford. There is everything from Mexican to Thai. The boutiques are also pretty amazing. I never have been to a town other than Oxford that has as many boutiques. Oxford really does have a ton, but it makes it better for when you are looking for a dress or a cute top for game day because more than likely you won't be wearing the same thing as someone else.
The diversity we have in Oxford is unreal. There is a huge diverse in culture here in Oxford, and there is always a place for everyone to fit in. We have all types of organizations around Oxford and Ole Miss that help anyone fit in. There are a lot of churches to worship in including a mosque. If you don't worship anything, there are many things to do voluntarily to help out our community.
It is safe to say that growing up in a college town has introduced me to a lot of things that I am thankful for having the experience to be introduced to. Not many people can say they live right across the street to one of the top universities in the SEC!
