1. A field trip to D.C. is just an average class experience. | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post

10 Things You're Aware Of If You Grew Up In Northern Virginia

Virginia is for lovers, or so we thought.

1.2k
https://www.pexels.com/photo/white-house-129112/

In This Article:

If you have grown up in the Northern Virginia area, you are probably very aware of these ten stereotypes:

1. A field trip to D.C. is just an average class experience.

If you have grown up in the Northern Virginia area, then you are probably aware of the fact that going on trips to the various national museums are just your average second grade excuse to visit the nation's capitol. What many Northern Virginia residents often forget is how going to D.C. is a once in a lifetime opportunity for some students.

2. There are schools everywhere you go.

Going from one place to the next, you're likely to pass at least three elementary schools, if not a couple of middle and high schools, due to the population density. No matter where you go, Northern Virginia is just filled with people. As a student, it is not uncommon to end up going to a school further than the one that's closest to you due to zoning.

3. Playing a sport isn't a hobby, but a religion.

Growing up in NOVA, you are aware of how much pride children and teens take in their sports. More often than not, trying out for high school sports was similar to the Hunger Games where there are so many talented students at one high school and only a roster of 20 for most teams. With the competitive students, growing up in an area where being a well-rounded student is so important, it leads to a high emphasis on being a student-athlete.

4. The high school football rivalry is no joke.

With there being such a high emphasis on high school sports, the rivalry from team to team for Friday night lights for major sports such as football and basketball lead to school pride and extreme competition. Certain nights, such as "Battle of the Burn" or "Crush County" lead to extreme competition and excitement when it comes to game day.

5. When in doubt, turn on Hot 99.5.

If you don't know what you want to listen to, then you have probably turned on "Hot 99.5, D.C.'s top radio station." HOT 99.5 is the station always playing the top music with the local favorite, the Kane Show. Unless you happen to turn on the station for the first or last 15 minutes of the hour, you're doomed to hearing endless advertisements.

6. The food options are endless.

Whether you're In the mood for Subway, Sushi, Korean, or the latest health trend, Northern Virginia has it all. From eco-friendly, vegan, trendy options, to major chains, or just your average local diners, the food options are endless and you know that is something to forever be grateful for. The same goes for grocery shopping, There could never be enough, with options ranging from Wegmans, Costco, Target, Trader Joes and even Whole Foods.

7. We all know those Jiffy Lube Live goers who spontaneously turn  country for the night.

You are probably aware of when a Jiffy Lube Live country concert took place after seeing the endless Instagram posts about going to the concerts, and how much we all love Luke Bryan. Don't get me wrong, country concerts are a fun time, but we all know that NOVA is not actually apart of the south.

8. The public schools are more competitive than the elite private schools.

Growing up in one of the top school systems in the nation was no piece of cake. You have students with Ivy league dreams who put intensive pressure on excelling in order to get into their dream school, and by no means do the parents help on this one. We know you love your children, but I promise if they don't end up at UVA or Ivy League, they are not a failure.

9. The North and South divide.

Sometimes I feel that the Civil War never fully went away, at least for Virginians. When you explain to others that you are from Northern Virginia, you'll probably get told, "You are not from your own state, you know" or you'll simply get that dirty look. Point being, we are all from Virginia and it doesn't matter if you're from the north, south, east, or west. It's one state, so let it be.

10. Having to explain to people where you're from to those outside of Virginia.

No matter who you are or what part of Northern Virginia you're from, it can be extremely frustrating when you travel or meet new people because you have to say you are from outside of D.C so people can understand what the area is like.

At the end of the day, Virginia is Virginia and it shouldn't matter what part you are from.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Entertainment

Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

These powerful lyrics remind us how much good is inside each of us and that sometimes we are too blinded by our imperfections to see the other side of the coin, to see all of that good.

70684
Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

The song was sent to me late in the middle of the night. I was still awake enough to plug in my headphones and listen to it immediately. I always did this when my best friend sent me songs, never wasting a moment. She had sent a message with this one too, telling me it reminded her so much of both of us and what we have each been through in the past couple of months.

Keep Reading...Show less
Zodiac wheel with signs and symbols surrounding a central sun against a starry sky.

What's your sign? It's one of the first questions some of us are asked when approached by someone in a bar, at a party or even when having lunch with some of our friends. Astrology, for centuries, has been one of the largest phenomenons out there. There's a reason why many magazines and newspapers have a horoscope page, and there's also a reason why almost every bookstore or library has a section dedicated completely to astrology. Many of us could just be curious about why some of us act differently than others and whom we will get along with best, and others may just want to see if their sign does, in fact, match their personality.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

20 Song Lyrics To Put A Spring Into Your Instagram Captions

"On an island in the sun, We'll be playing and having fun"

4125
Person in front of neon musical instruments; glowing red and white lights.
Photo by Spencer Imbrock on Unsplash

Whenever I post a picture to Instagram, it takes me so long to come up with a caption. I want to be funny, clever, cute and direct all at the same time. It can be frustrating! So I just look for some online. I really like to find a song lyric that goes with my picture, I just feel like it gives the picture a certain vibe.

Here's a list of song lyrics that can go with any picture you want to post!

Keep Reading...Show less
Chalk drawing of scales weighing "good" and "bad" on a blackboard.
WP content

Being a good person does not depend on your religion or status in life, your race or skin color, political views or culture. It depends on how good you treat others.

We are all born to do something great. Whether that be to grow up and become a doctor and save the lives of thousands of people, run a marathon, win the Noble Peace Prize, or be the greatest mother or father for your own future children one day. Regardless, we are all born with a purpose. But in between birth and death lies a path that life paves for us; a path that we must fill with something that gives our lives meaning.

Keep Reading...Show less
Health and Wellness

10 Hygiene Tips For All College Athletes

College athletes, it's time we talk about sports hygiene.

8059
Woman doing pull-ups on bars with sun shining behind her.

I got a request to talk about college athletes hygiene so here it is.

College athletes, I get it, you are busy! From class, to morning workouts, to study table, to practice, and more. But that does not excuse the fact that your hygiene comes first! Here are some tips when it comes to taking care of your self.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments