As a student at the University of Georgia, a huge Southern campus, you can imagine my awe and culture shock when I visited my friend in Washington D.C. this past weekend. She attends the George Washington University, where the campus is smack dab in the middle of the city. After exploring her little world for three days, I fell in love. There was so much shopping, sight seeing, and never a dull moment. But guess what? I absolutely adore the way my school is laid out as well. So to the seniors in high school who spend countless months trying to figure out which type of campus is right for them: I hate to break it to you, but you’re going to fall in love with whichever one you choose.
First, I’ll tell you a little bit about the perks of going to a school like mine. The four years you spend here will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. That may sound cliche, but it’s just true. There’s nothing like waking up on a Saturday to tailgate and then going to a football game with your best friends. There’s nothing like walking through campus with a coffee in your hand and admiring the orange leaves of the trees during fall. If Greek life is for you, we have it. If it’s not, there’s thousands of other people who love the school for all that it offers besides Greek life. And that’s just it: I can’t even express how much is offered. Everyone finds his or her place, and it’s OK to be an individual. What’s more, that last aspect is true about pretty much all schools. I know everyone wants to believe that his or her school is the best, but colleges are designed that way on purpose. They’re all meant to allow us to get involved and meet new people.
On the other hand, schools in big cities have perks of their own. All of my friends that chose this option are extremely independent people. You have to be ready for that lifestyle decision. You’re living among working adults and professionals, maybe just in student housing instead of renting an apartment. Living in this type of setting exposes you to more of the real world. The fact that museums, art galleries, and concert venues are a walk or train ride away, as opposed to living in a little campus bubble, poses a more diverse experience. Most importantly, if being trendy is important to you, living in a city will feel more natural. Trust me when I tell you that where I go to school, t-shirts are the norm. In fact, if I wear anything but a t-shirt and Nike shorts, people ask me “Why’d you dress up?”
Sometimes I think it would’ve been cool to go to college in a city instead, but I’m probably going to live in a city after school. It’s comforting to know that I’ll get to experience both ways of life. But seriously, go with your gut. It’s rare that someone doesn’t adapt to the atmosphere they choose and learn to call it home. If I had gone to college in a city, I would’ve enjoyed the benefits of art galleries, Starbucks locations on every other block, and extensive shopping (three of my favorite things). In Athens, I get to enjoy a whole other set of things, and I’m confident that you would find your niche in either as well.
