August is in full swing, and many of us are counting down the days until it's time to move back to school. Some students enjoy the newfound population burst on their campus if they come from a small area, but others have to begin readjusting to a smaller space if they come from a large city.
Hailing from Cincinnati, where the total population reaches almost 300,000 people, I go to a college town of only about 18,000 enrolled students. Miami University is located in Oxford, Ohio. This area is specifically known for how students are the town's main inhabitants, with the red brick road leading you to the campus.
No matter how many times I move back and forth between Oxford and Cincinnati, I always have to face readjustment. There are massive shifts in the spatial environment, culture, friends and the people in general.
Small towns tend to be more quaint and simple compared to the extravagance of a large city and its skyscrapers. People tend to be closer together in a small area, sparking new relations and sharing more ideas. This concept isn't present as often in large cities due to individualism and everyone's desire to stay in their own lane. In a small college town like Oxford, everyone has similar goals and desires, making conversations much more common within the public. I believe this is one aspect of moving back that I look forward to the most.
Going back to Oxford, I have to get into the habit of compressing my daily interactions as a whole. No more driving everywhere every day, and I'll be living with fewer items. The key is making all things, especially your money's worth, last until mid-December until you get a break, then repeat during the spring term.
With summer coming to an end, it is important to start making those checklists, start shopping and look over your budget. Keeping that in mind, only bring what you absolutely have to have with you. Don't pack extra items you never really use but think you might use.
At the end of the day, readjustment never has to be looked upon negatively. I see it as a positive interaction between reality and the mindset. Understanding how to adapt quickly and flourish in any environment is viewed as an essential skill set that everyone should equip themselves with.
I'm definitely ready to move back and begin my path toward readjustment at the Harvard of the Midwest.
