As my first semester at USF comes to a close, I like looking back and reflecting on these last few months. Through this reflection, I have realized a whole lot has changed for this little Brooksville girl. I have discovered so many differences from my small town comfortable life compared to the city of Tampa, especially the area right around campus. These are 10 things I wish I knew about moving to a totally new world, only 45 minutes from home.
1. This city isn't one big family.
Community isn't as big around here; you don't have all the local businesses and you don't get to share some spectacular small town bond with every person that you meet.
2. This also means you don't know everyone and that's actually so uncomfortable.
I mean I can go just about anywhere in Hernando County and know at least half of the people in the general vicinity, but Tampa (really just usf) is this big melting pot of strangers and it's so overwhelming to not see familiar faces.
3. Even weirder- not everybody knows you.
All the teachers don't know you from you siblings, and all the people in the town don't know you from church or your little brother football league- you're a little fish in a big pond and it's a little depressing.
4. You have to find new safe havens.
You can't just wake up and decide you'll go for a drive because you don't know where anything is. I can't just decide to go to my favorite park or coffee shop because that's all back home and I have to try 101 new coffee shops to find one that I might be able to call a temporary home.
5. Not everybody's high school experience was like yours.
What do you mean homecoming week isn't the the most important time of the year for your entire town? Oh you didn't spend late nights at Applebee's or in cars at a gas station parking lot because you actually had fun things to do?
6. There's so many jokes people just won't get.
Living in a small town gives us all a connection through way too many inside jokes ,that outsiders just don't understand.
7. But sometimes you get lucky and you find people who understand the inside jokes and the weird high school experience.
"Oh you're from brooksville? Me too!" Or "oh I'm from 'some town right near brooksville'" or even "oh yeah I've heard of brooksville" are the most comforting statements someone in this new place can offer you.
8. People point out your Southern accent that you just don't hear.
"Omg I can so tell you from a small town, you're so country" What even?
9. The traffic will make you feel like you've never drove in your life.
I moved to my town when I was ten, my parents drove me around and then my sister and finally I learned how drive in this little town and that makes me so unprepared for real world driving. The traffic and having to get on the interstate to go anywhere is actual chaos.
10. But the most important thing to know is- it's pretty cool to be out of your comfort zone!
Moving away, going to college, making the transition from a small town to the city is hard and super uncomfortable at times. But the memories you make and the experiences you have, make it all worth it.
