What Going To College In A Big City Taught Me

Going to college in a big city has a lot of lessons to offer. This is what I learned from experiencing college life and city life all in one.

Going to a college with a big campus creates a different experience for its students. The same impact is created when you go to a college in a big city. When you are in a tourist destination, you learn over time that your college journey differs than someone getting their education in a small town. Here’s what going to college in a big city taught me.

1. Various Groups Of People

Completing my undergrad at San Francisco State allowed me to interact with all kinds of people. Whether it was a vast age range or people who came to this college from different parts of the world, many walks of life were present every day I was on campus. As someone who was coming from a small city on the other side of the bay, going to college in a big city allowed me to see just how important this destination was. It provided a place of opportunity that was sought out by someone people later in life and others who took long plane rides to become a Gator. If I had gone to college back home, I don’t think I would have encountered so many different personalities.

2. Opposing Ideals

Although going to a college in a big city was a generally positive experience, it also taught me that you are going to encounter opposing ideals. Contrary to what many people believe, the cozy bubble of college is often popped very early on. You are attending the same classes with people who grew up with different beliefs/values and sometimes they are not going to mesh with yours. The outcome to this opposition is handled in a variety of ways but I learned that this was going to be a common occurrence. Going to college in a big city taught me that the wider net you cast, the bigger mix of ideals you are going to get.

3. Life Moves Quickly

When you attend college in a big city like New York or San Francisco, you learn that life moves fast. Whether it is academically or socially, there is not much down time in these locations. You are always on the move whether it’s trying to beat traffic, attend a required event off campus, or attempting to hit up the night life scene. Going to college in a big city taught me that sometimes returning home to your small town is a relief and necessary change of pace.

4. Hometown Friends

Attending college located in a major travel destination is appealing to all kinds of individuals. Sometimes you choose to attend one of these schools to escape from the life you built back home but other times a familiar face is very comforting. You are bound to run into someone from home especially if you are commuting a reasonable distance from your hometown. These little surprises can remind you of your small city and make you feel less alone in this new big city.

5. Getting Noticed Requires Effort

Being surrounded by a countless amount of people and buildings can make getting noticed difficult. Your class sizes are generally huge, and it is easy to become one of many. To get noticed in a sea of so many students, you have to put in a lot of effort. Sometimes this means meeting with your professor often, so they can recognize you in the classroom and in social settings it means being more vocal. Going to college in a big city provides you with a lot of opportunities but you still have to find ways to stand out!

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6. You’ll Form Lasting Connections

Just like any college, you are still able to form meaningful connections when attending college in a big city. If you are like me, you may have the fortune of meeting some of your best friends during college. They are experiencing life in the big city alongside you and understand how different this journey is for you. Most of the time they are from smaller towns as well but either way, going to college in the big city taught me that intimate bonds are possible no matter where you are.