People say college changes you, but in my case it hasn’t necessarily been the college, but the city that surrounds me. On USF’s small campus you can find the typical college atmosphere, yet the second you step on to the surrounding city streets you are mixed with the city and its people. Because of this integration I feel most influenced by San Francisco, not the school itself. With this in mind, here are some ways my viewpoints and outlooks have changed:
1. My Style
In high school I loved to always put together cute outfits for school or whatever outing; it was a rare occasion if I was wearing leggings or your typical “comfy clothes” out and about. I liked to experiment with my outfits and try interesting styles and trends, but the second I would leave my house I’d suddenly feel insecure about my outfit and wonder if everyone was looking at me and thought I was “weird.” Fast forward to my life in the city, and this insecurity has completely melted away. The people of San Francisco are unique, diverse, vibrant, and really don’t care what you are wearing or look like, as long as you’re just being yourself. Now I can confidently put on my turtleneck, leather jacket or flare jeans, and feel totally fearless in my look and rock it all over campus and the city.
2. My New Necessity
Without my headphones I feel incomplete. Before the city I never listened to music, except in the car, but now my feet have become my car. I listen to music while I’m walking to class, the grocery store or just my favorite coffee shop. I always thought it was kind of strange when people walked around wearing headphones, but now I get it, they are an essential part of city life. (Also side note: while you’re walking with music you feel like you’re in a music video, so that’s a cool little perk)
3. Public Transportation
I must admit, before moving to San Francisco I was deathly afraid of public transportation. I’d heard too many horror stories to count from family and friends who live in various cities, and the thought of navigating public transit gave me anxiety. Towards the beginning of the school year I realized I had to face my fear and just do it. So, I gave myself an extra hour of time for the inevitable possibility that I would take the wrong bus, go the wrong way or miss my stop. As the bus pulled up, I got on, sat down in the back after running on nervously, and realized there’s literally nothing to be scared about, it’s just a bus. Yes, there may be some interesting people on the busses, but there are strange people everywhere you go. So after my first public transit encounter my fear has completely disappeared, and I’d like to say I’m a public transit master now, but maybe that’s a bit much.
4. Nobody Cares
I remember last year in psychology learning about the spotlight effect, the idea that you think people are paying more attention to you than they actually are, and thinking there’s no way that’s actually true. Before coming to the city, I was more aware of other people looking at me and worried if people noticed my messy hair or zit on my face. Once in San Francisco I quickly realized no one is worried about what you’re doing or what you look like, they’re just worrying about themselves. There’s a lot of stimulus around you while navigating the city, and people really don’t have the time or ability to pay attention and worry about you. So basically, no one cares how you look that day. They aren’t scrutinizing every detail of your appearance. Just be you, and you’ll “fit” right in.
5. My Career Aspirations
Everyone in high school and college understands the pain of seemingly pointless assignments and projects, yet since moving to SF, the way I look at work has changed. Walking around the financial district and other areas downtown, I get a visual of what it is I’m working for in college. I see the working women and I realize what all my work is for. Some assignments seem pointless, but I know now that everything is shaping me for my future career. The visualization of my future within the people of San Francisco is now what motivates me.
