Why I Love Going To College In A Small Town

Why I Love Going To College In A Small Town

From the close-knit community to the cheap food and drinks, small town life really isn't so bad
Lindsay Byrnes
Lindsay Byrnes Jul 6, 2015
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Lewisburg, Pennsylvania is a town that you may have trouble locating on a map. The downtown is approximately one mile long and the biggest shopping attraction is the giant Walmart on Route 15. Yet going to college in this small town was the best decision I ever made.

Here are some reasons why I love going to college in a small town:

1. When you go to college in a small town you can always find a familiar face anywhere you go! You can’t walk from campus down to the infamous Sushihanna restaurant without passing at least one familiar face, not to mention at least one professor you’ve had a class with. Plus the walking distance from point A to point B is never more than 10 minutes, which makes it super-convenient for all of the freshmen who don't have cars on campus!

2. Safety is never a concern for me when I am walking home at night from downtown parties or the bar. At city schools or schools in bigger towns, you have to worry about taking Ubers and safely navigating unfamiliar areas or crowded streets. But at school in a small town, the walk home is quick and the biggest threat that you could possibly face is the occasional camo-clad townie with a shotgun.

3. Small town usually means a middle-of-nowhere location and scenic views. During the warm months (fall, spring and summer, but definitely not winter) I love going to school in a small town because the surrounding scenery is perfect for a nice day! You can walk along the Susquehanna, run the rail trail or drive a few miles down the road to go hiking in one of the many state parks.

4. In a small town, you can save a few extra bucks because the food and drinks are a LOT cheaper than they are in any city. The fact that you can drive or walk everywhere also saves you a pretty penny because you don’t need to splurge on taxi or Uber rides when you go out!

5. There are only two bars that most upperclassmen go to. This may sound like a negative at first, but the fact that our small town only has two bars is actually awesome. Since there are only two places to go, all of the upperclassmen come together for a fun night out, breaking the barriers of exclusivity that mixers put in place.

6. Don’t get me wrong though, mixers and downtown parties are another reason why I love going to school in a small town. City schools might have a fun bar scene and Saturday morning “drunches,” but we have frat parties with our whole school and the most epic super Saturdays where everyone dances and drinks until the early evening, when the ordinance rules force us to go our separate ways until the nighttime parties begin.

Even though it may seem like small towns don’t have that much to offer, I can honestly say that I am never bored or feel as though there isn’t enough to do in the small town of Lewisburg. I am going to miss my small town school more than anything when I graduate in May. Time to make the most out of my last year!
Cover Image Credit: http://discover.umn.edu/sites/default/files/styles/main_story_image/public/A1_Organic-Cows_1152x360.jpg?itok=ZGUbLJzB
Lindsay Byrnes
Lindsay Byrnes Jul 6, 2015
At Bucknell

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It's Time To Thank Your First Roommate

Not the horror story kind of roommate, but the one that was truly awesome.
Katie Ward
Katie Ward Feb 1, 2016
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Nostalgic feelings have recently caused me to reflect back on my freshman year of college. No other year of my life has been filled with more ups and downs, and highs and lows, than freshman year. Throughout all of the madness, one factor remained constant: my roommate. It is time to thank her for everything. These are only a few of the many reasons to do so, and this goes for roommates everywhere.

You have been through all the college "firsts" together.

If you think about it, your roommate was there through all of your first college experiences. The first day of orientation, wishing you luck on the first days of classes, the first night out, etc. That is something that can never be changed. You will always look back and think, "I remember my first day of college with ____."

You were even each other's first real college friend.

You were even each other's first real college friend.

Months before move-in day, you were already planning out what freshman year would be like. Whether you previously knew each other, met on Facebook, or arranged to meet in person before making any decisions, you made your first real college friend during that process.

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The transition from high school to college is not easy, but somehow you made it out on the other side.

It is no secret that transitioning from high school to college is difficult. No matter how excited you were to get away from home, reality hit at some point. Although some people are better at adjusting than others, at the times when you were not, your roommate was there to listen. You helped each other out, and made it through together.

Late night talks were never more real.

Remember the first week when we stayed up talking until 2:00 a.m. every night? Late night talks will never be more real than they were freshman year. There was so much to plan for, figure out, and hope for. Your roommate talked, listened, laughed, and cried right there with you until one of you stopped responding because sleep took over.

You saw each other at your absolute lowest.

It was difficult being away from home. It hurt watching relationships end and losing touch with your hometown friends. It was stressful trying to get in the swing of college level classes. Despite all of the above, your roommate saw, listened, and strengthened you.

...but you also saw each other during your highest highs.

After seeing each other during the lows, seeing each other during the highs was such a great feeling. Getting involved on campus, making new friends, and succeeding in classes are only a few of the many ways you have watched each other grow.

There was so much time to bond before the stresses of college would later take over.

Freshman year was not "easy," but looking back on it, it was more manageable than you thought at the time. College only gets busier the more the years go on, which means less free time. Freshman year you went to lunch, dinner, the gym, class, events, and everything else possible together. You had the chance to be each other's go-to before it got tough.

No matter what, you always bounced back to being inseparable.

Phases of not talking or seeing each other because of business and stress would come and go. Even though you physically grew apart, you did not grow apart as friends. When one of you was in a funk, as soon as it was over, you bounced right back. You and your freshman roommate were inseparable.

The "remember that one time, freshman year..." stories never end.

Looking back on freshman year together is one of my favorite times. There are so many stories you have made, which at the time seemed so small, that bring the biggest laughs today. You will always have those stories to share together.

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The unspoken rule that no matter how far apart you grow, you are always there for each other.

It is sad to look back and realize everything that has changed since your freshman year days. You started college with a clean slate, and all you really had was each other. Even though you went separate ways, there is an unspoken rule that you are still always there for each other.

Your old dorm room is now filled with two freshmen trying to make it through their first year. They will never know all the memories that you made in that room, and how it used to be your home. You can only hope that they will have the relationship you had together to reflect on in the years to come.


Cover Image Credit: Katie Ward
Katie Ward
Katie Ward Feb 1, 2016
At Duquesne University

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My Lake Elsinore Poppy Field Experience

This past weekend I had the chance to visit the super bloom of golden poppies, and they were quite breathtaking.

Farah Stack
Farah Stack Mar 26, 2019
76
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Hill after hill, California's golden flower blanketed soft sloped grassy tops that seemed to continue what felt like forever, far into the valley. The hills looked as if they were painted a bright Garibaldi orange, or coated with layers and layers of Cheetos. The sun was out, the sky was blue, and the almost glowing-orange flowers swayed back and forth in the breeze. I felt like I was in a story book or a scene from the Sound of Music. The rare infamous poppy field explosion was right in front of my eyes, and it was absolutely breathtaking.

I had gone to see the flower fields because of how much I adore flowers, and have never experienced a whole field or valley of them like this before. I wanted to be able to respectfully walk alongside the flowers, and see their blinding beauty with my very own eyes, which I did. However, MANY people at Walker Canyon, a.k.a social media influencers and Instagram addicts, were quite noticeably there just to have photo shoots and stare at their phones, checking the lighting and if they're amethyst was glimmering in the sunlight.

As wonderful, beautiful, and bright as the poppies were, and as much as I enjoyed feeling their soft silky petals, and sitting and walking beside them, taking a few photos here and there, I was annoyed with how many people were there just to strike a pose for their social media.

This magical and very RARE moment of a poppy bloom should not have people looking down at their phones, and asking their friends which pose looks better. Smell the flowers, open your eyes look up at the sky, and blind yourselves with the beauty of this natural wonder. Go outside, and actually live a little.

Despite the many people who were there just to get the photos for the likes and followers on Instagram, I am so fortunate and grateful to have had the chance to see these golden flowery fields. If you have the chance to go, look into traffic conditions, and bring a hat and lots of water! It sure was warm on that walk, so always a good idea to come prepared. I also noticed some people picking the flowers and putting them in their hair. As pretty and cute as that may look for your photo, don't do that. Please respect all spaces, and let the precious elements of life be.

Farah Stack
Farah Stack Mar 26, 2019
At University of Southern California

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