No, despite what people may think, the University of South Carolina (USC) is not just a big school with a dank SEC sports teams and students that party all the time... NO. That’s offensive to Gamecocks everywhere. Columbia, South Carolina has SO much more to offer than a popular nightlife and tailgating. To all of the baby Gamecocks, or potential baby Gamecocks out there... this is the best University in the best city!

1. Our location is prime.

Columbia, SC could not be a better-located college city. Students can pack up their beach bags and head about an hour and a half or two hours to Charleston for a day of sun and shopping, or they can drive north to Charlotte, NC to visit Carowinds, an amusement park dividing SC and NC down the border, or experience the Tour de Food involving various restaurants throughout the lively city. They can also drive three hours to Myrtle Beach, Atlanta, or Athens (just in case you have a friend that made the wrong decision)!

2. Our community is unmatched.

I have never been in a city that is so caring and compassionate to anyone and everyone. Whether it be in a time of need or on Saturdays during football season, the city of Columbia comes together as one big family and makes everyone a little happier. South Carolina students and other South Carolinians worked together to clean up the city and support those that were horribly affected by Hurricane Matthew and the flood in 2015 that left much of the city underwater. There is a sense of family and love at USC and in Columbia. No matter how far you travel from home, Columbia will instantly feel like a home away from home.

3. We only have one kind of weather: nice.

The weather is South Carolina is by far the best. I came down south from Virginia to get away from bipolar weather and enjoy hot, sunny days year round. This year USC barely experienced winter. Though, there were a few VERY rainy days that flooded the city of Columbia per usual, but we get used to it.

4. We have the Riverbanks Zoo And Garden.

Located approximately 15 minutes from campus is the Riverbanks Zoo. Spending a day here makes college students feel young again! Not only is it a zoo, it is also an aquarium and botanical garden. Social events and functions are also held here on weekends hosted by various organizations on campus. Some classes even assign projects at the zoo! How fun is that?

5. Soda City happens every weekend.

Every Saturday, local businesses will set up stands along Main St. advertising and selling various products. This market includes produce, baked goods, jewelry, clothing, food trucks and various drink tables and trucks! This is a great way to get out of the dorm, apartment or house and experience what locals have to offer in Cola first hand.

6. Our options for food are plentiful and delicious.

You will never go hungry in Columbia, SC. There is every type of food one could possibly ever want available. Whether you want burgers, breakfast, Thai, Chinese, seafood, Italian, hibachi, Mexican... you name it, Cola has it! From Five Points to The Vista, there are restaurants everywhere. A few have even been featured on the Food Network! The Cinnamon Roll Deli is located on Devine St. Highly recommend for a brunch date with your favorite pals! If you’re looking for a great place to grab a burger with the family when they visit, take them to Pawley’s Front Porch located on Harden St. in Five Points! Featured on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives, Pawley’s has amazing burgers and sweet potato fries that are TO DIE FOR!

7. We host the South Carolina State Fair.

The State Fairgrounds, located adjacent to Williams-Brice, attracts people from all over to Columbia, SC in October for the annual South Carolina State Fair. This fair lasts for 12 days attracting more than 400,000 people every year! There is so much to do. From games and rides to food and animal exhibits, you can’t miss this experience! This fair is ranked one of the Top 50 in the US. Take a short nap after attending an exhilarating Gamecock football game (10/10 would recommend) and head to Rosewood Dr. to experience what so many people wish they could!

8. Colonial Life Arena puts on the best concerts.

The Colonial Life Arena is home to our Men’s Final Four Basketball team and our 2017 Women’s National Champions, but occasionally it is converted into a major concert venue. This venue and Music Farm have hosted famous artists like former Gamecock Darius Rucker, Luke Bryan, Waka Flocka Flame, The Red Hot Chili Peppers and more. The excitement continues this year with scheduled concerts this fall by The Weeknd, Thomas Rhett, Janet Jackson and Lil Yachty!

9. We love to give back.

There are endless opportunities to get involved within the Columbia community and be a part of organizations on campus that change so many lives every year. Service Saturday is a monthly event in which students, faculty, and staff disperse throughout the community to different businesses and facilities providing help with anything that needs to be cleaned up, reorganized or built!

Two other organizations on campus are Dance Marathon and Relay for Life. Dance Marathon is a year-long effort raising money and awareness for Miracle Children through the Miracle Network. We are fortunate in Columbia, SC to have a Miracle Network hospital in our city! At the end of the year, Dance Marathon hosts a 14-hour dance party in Strom.

This is an event you definitely do not want to miss. Throughout the night, participants will be introduced to several miracle families and hear their story of how the money raised has saved miracle children’s lives. In 2017, Dance Marathon participants raised over $700,000 for the Miracle Network!

Relay for Life is another great organization to be involved in on campus! This is also a year-long fundraising effort to support cancer survivors and honor the memory of a loved one. Located on Blatt fields, a 12-hour event with booths from every team signed up selling goodies all in support of this cause. These are not the only ways to be involved on campus at USC, but three organizations that support causes right here in Columbia, SC and across the country.

10. Academic success is our priority.

Last but CERTAINLY not least, the reason you came to USC! Successfully graduating in four years from USC with a prestigious degree is the ultimate goal for every student by Harris Pastides, faculty and staff. With the resources available to every student on campus, this is an extremely manageable task.

In Thomas Cooper Library, there is a program dedicated to the success of every student in each class and with the daunting task of finding a major. The Student Success Center, what I like to call “my home,” offers one-on-one tutoring or drop in hours. They also offer sessions regarding study skills, finances and writing skills for English courses. This is a resource that can save your grade and be extremely beneficial in the long run with a little bit of time and effort.

Another perk and way to meet your professor of the Student Success Center is the option to take your professor out to lunch. The school will pay for a meal so you can sit down and discuss the topic introduced in class, a lecture you did not understand, or discuss possible majors the stem from the class you are taking with that professor.

How cool is that? Despite what the movies make you believe, professors are not grouchy, mean people that do not want anything to do with students outside of class. Professors at USC love meeting students and helping us earn the grade we want and deserve in the most difficult class. I became close with a majority of my professors by going to office hours, and it helps in the long run. The professor knows who you are so when the time comes that you are in need of a recommendation letter he is willing to write one for you based on your effort and enthusiasm for learning!

No matter how big the class, 15 or 500, the USC professors are engaged with every student and are willing to spend one on one time to help solve whatever issue is at hand. They are not here to fail you nor do they desire to see the failure of any student. They are here to help you succeed in the class and further your education!