Making the decision of going to college in the city versus a traditional university was a difficult one, but I have not regretted it. The experiences I've had so far in Chicago have taught me some important (and some humorous) lessons.
1. Everything is expensive.
This isn't really something new to me; I knew everything was ridiculously overpriced before living and studying here, but I didn't realize how much I would actually be experiencing it. I can't necessarily live the same, more careless lifestyle that I did at home since everything costs more. Needless to say, my budgeting skills have definitely advanced.
2. There is ALWAYS something to do.
I've realized that when I'm bored, it's my own fault. At any given time, there is always something to do, and it doesn't always have to cost money. From the sightseeing that never gets old (in nice weather at least) to a variety of free museum days, it's safe to say that when I'm "bored," I'm actually just being lazy and coming up with an excuse to justify it.
3. It's easy to get around.
Being from the suburbs, when I visited the city I was the typical suburban who was afraid and intimidated by all things related to public city transportation. I would go through the hassle of walking for extended distances even if I knew there was an "L" station nearby. I was admittedly worried that I wouldn't be able to navigate the different lines and that I would end up somewhere I didn't want to be. Now, I take the L everywhere to save myself time and to take advantage of my U-Pass access; I look back and laugh at my irrational nervousness when it came to the L since I've learned the simplicity of it.
4. You're more independent than you think.
Choosing to be at a private city school rather than a large public University, I've realized that I've gained a lot of independence and maturity in a short amount of time. Being thrown into a large city and experiencing the hustle and bustle of everyday life will better prepare me for my daily routine after graduating. DePaul's campus, especially in the loop, is not at all like a traditional college campus where the campus itself seems like its own neighborhood. Instead, it's integrated into Chicago and puts students in a very realistic setting. This is another aspect that drew me into DePaul; I stayed away from large public state schools because the campuses are so large that often times, students don't have a reason to leave and I didn't want to get into that habit.
5. There are endless opportunities.
This is something that keeps me optimistic and distracts me from my pessimistic moods. When I'm feeling anxious about what I'm going to do after graduation, or get stressed about the competition in the journalistic field, I'm constantly reminded by the light of the city that I'm in the perfect place to start.
