8 Things You Discover When Moving To A Big City
Transitioning to college can be tough but the hardest part is getting used to your new environment. Columbia College Chicago is located in the heart of one of the nation’s biggest (and best) cities which can be overwhelming to many students that have never experienced city living. My first 2 weeks, I’ve discovered so many things that I didn’t expect to. Getting life experiences, like public transport, is one of the many advantages of going to school in a city like Chicago.
1. Walk with a purposeEveryone walks fast here. It’s not about getting fresh air or smeilling the roses, it’s about getting to your destination as fast as possible.Learn quickly or get left behind.
2. Easy access to fast food restaurants is dangerousGet a meal plan or do your own grocery shopping. At least, most of the time. Having a three minute walk to four different fast food places is tough to handle at first; I’ve eaten a lot of cheese fries. Eventually, your stomach and your body will catch up and it’s no longer a Freshman 15, it’s a Freshman 30 – or worse! My advice to you is to watch out and always remember, moderation is key.
3. Just because you can take the subway, doesn’t always mean you should.
Anything less than two stops on the CTA is walkable. You’re in one of the most beautiful cities in the country, take in all the sights! Walking is the best way to discover new shops or restaurants you would usually never discover, plus you get a little bit of exercise along the way. So instead of hiding undergroud, walk to where your going- you never know who you might meet!
4. Google Maps Public Transport option is marvelous!
Need to find absolutely anything? Just type in the address or business. Click over to the picture of the train and follow the directions. It’s detailed, accurate and spot on. I wouldn’t use anything else. It’s so simple that you will be able to use it even after a drink, or two, or five.
5. Eat Locally!
The city is filled with a lot of locally-owned and operated restaurants. The food is almost always amazing, but Yelp or ask around before you dish out money for it. A great way to find somewhere to eat is to start walking around and find a line outside. Plus, a lot of places have great deals going on every night. Bar Louie on Polk Street has $1 burgers every Tuesday after 4p.m. and they are phenomenal!
6. Tourists are a part of life.
Those slow-walking, t-shirt-wearing, camera-toting tourists will always be there. Any and every time of year, people will be visiting any big city. They’ll stop in the middle of the sidewalk to take pictures of a building you have never looked twice at. If not obviously tourists, there will always be a fest or event going on that causes the atmosphere to change. When that Bears game gets out or the Marathon is coming up, it’s a good time to stay home with a bottle of wine. Public transport is crowded and the streets can be closed off. Your Starbucks might get overrun with a British Triathalon team and you might have to hurt a few people to get on the red line, but at least it’s never a dull moment.
7. Everyone’s background is interesting. Listen.
Big city schools attract people from all across the globe. I’ve met people from so many different countries, like Puerto Rico, Ghana, Vietnam, China, and Columbia. Take the time to talk to these people and expose yourself to lives different than your own. Their stories are worth hearing and their cultures are definitley worth learning about.
8. You never have to be bored!
Why on earth would you lay in bed and watch Netflix when there is so much to do and see?! Museums, parks, and shopping are available for you to experience. Wander the parks, loose yourself in art galleries, find the farmers market, live the city lifestyle.
The Art Institute is free for Columbia students so if you don’t go at least once, you’re missing out on a big opportunity.The Field Museum is free on October 4, 30 and November 1, 22.Museum of Science and Industry is free on October 5-6.The Shedd Aquarium is free on October 5-6, 12-13, 19-20, 26-27 and November 2-3, 9-10, 16-17, 23-24.