COLLEGE TOWNS: WHY I LOVE THEM

What is it about a college town? Quaint old buildings, beautiful trees, and a reminder of a simpler time in your life.

I’ve always loved a college town, whether a small community or a larger sprawling campus. Some of my favorite college towns aren’t even college towns but are right in the middle of vibrant cities.

My love of college towns It may be rooted in my love of books, libraries, learning, and the feel of an academic setting. I grew up with ‘my nose in a book,’ as my mother would say. It’s easy to say that when you’re ‘several’ years out, you’ve forgotten about those late nights and weekends spent studying.

Or maybe it’s remembering wearing college sweatshirts and traipsing through fallen leaves while planning my weekend.

Or, if I’m being honest, my love of college towns comes from college football. Our family has gone back to the University of South Carolina games for years, where my husband and I went to grad school.

So, that’s what comes to mind on this big college football weekend. Those tailgate weekends sure are fun, especially when you win.

It also comes from having two kids in college and visiting on parents’ weekends. We’ve been to Auburn (War Eagle) and the University of Texas (Hook Em’) for multiple parents’ weekends; one year, we went to two. (That was a big college tuition year.) Auburn is a true college town, and Texas is a college in the middle of a great city. On each trip, we went to the bookstore and loaded up on merch but no books. It was fun remembering my college days, attempting to keep up with my college kids, and pretending to be at least a little cool.

It takes you back to good times, close friends, and a light heart. At least for me.

Or maybe it comes from attending my kids’ college graduations. There is a sense of satisfaction watching them reach their goals. The speeches are inspirational, the students tearful and happy, and all the parents are excited for their kids.

We’ve also walked through our own college campuses, walking down memory lane, trying to find where the dorm used to be or that cafeteria with the horrible food. Or the little dive bar with live music. Or that late-night diner that served the best waffles.

I realized as I thought about why I love them so much that it’s not about a desire to relive my college days. It comes from the charm, a beautiful setting, the sense of community, and the small-town feel, whether a large university or a small college.

People who are working together towards a common goal. Striving to reach their own goals, and their own dreams for the future.

Which is really what my love of college towns it’s all about.

Want to read ‘How I Became A Football Fan’ or learn more about my art?