Being from Lawrence, I feel I have a different perspective on the city. Here are 10 things to know if you are not a townie.
1. I have probably heard of “that” place you want to go to.
Whether it be a bar, restaurant or store, I’ve probably heard of it. It can be very funny to watch people have their first Pizza Shuttle or Fuzzy’s Tacos experience because I’ve been going to those places since I can remember. I find that I have to constantly remind myself that these (albeit sometimes mediocre) places are very new and exciting to people who are not from here.
2. I don’t think it’s weird that I was able to live at home for a period of my time at KU, but I also wouldn’t recommend it.
I never lived in the dorms during my freshman or sophomore years. I felt I didn’t need to, but looking back it’s one of my biggest regrets. If you are able to, I would suggest you love on campus, it is a great way to meet new people and become acclimated with your new surroundings.
3. I’ve been going to KU games since I was a kid.
KU games are some of my best memories as a kid; tailgating on the Hill, running to the top of Campanile to watch the marching band enter the stadium, taking pictures with Big Jay and Baby Jay. I was even pulled out of school in 2008 on the day the basketball team came back from winning the National Championship and the football team won the Orange Bowl. KU games have always been a big part of my life and I’m glad I get to experience them as a student.
4. It’s strange watching so many people use the city you in live as a pit stop.
Lawrence is all I’ve ever known. I was born and raised here, my family planted their roots here early on. This is home to me. It’s both exciting and strange to watch people discover aspects about the city you’ve grown up in when everything feels so familiar to you.
5. I don’t know everyone at KU who went to high school here.
I really don’t. There have been several instances where I’m talking with someone from a class and they inform me that they went to Free State or Lawrence High and I had no idea. The high schools here are large and the possibility of me knowing someone who graduated a year before, after, or even the same as me is slim.
6. I am not a “legacy.”
Not in the sense that my mother was in a sorority here. In fact, neither one of my parents graduated from KU. I do have some family members who went to KU and even have a grandfather who was a professor here for many years, but that’s about as much of a legacy as I’ll ever be.
7. I did think about going to college elsewhere.
When I was first starting to think of where I wanted to apply for college, I was dead set against going to KU. I wanted to get out of Lawrence to experience the world outside of our little liberal bubble and meet all new people and see all new things. However, at the end of the day, it really did make the most since that I went to KU and I’m really glad that I did.
8. I don’t mind being asked questions about Lawrence.
If you’re going to ask anyone about the city, it may as well be a townie. I’ve been most everywhere here, and I can probably give you some good tips about how to navigate yourself through the mess of construction or just the best places to go Downtown.
9. Professors seem to love that I’m a “townie.”
They find it fascinating. In smaller classes, whenever we have to play icebreaker games and tell people our names, majors and where we are from, just about every time I’ve said, “Lawrence,” the professor is interested. I’m not entirely sure why.
10. I love Lawrence, but I won’t be here forever.
This is my hometown and I love that I got to experience the many different things that it has to offer like my family, friends and college, but I’m excited to start a new adventure in a new place. After I leave, I know that I’ll miss it but I also know that I’ll always be able to return home.
