For the last year, I've been engaged to my best friend. In two months, we'll have been together for 5 years, and in a little over a year we'll finally be married.
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The one problem: he's a Buckeye. Now, don't get me wrong, I was born and raised on Buckeye football and I never had any issue with Ohio State- until I got to college. There's no school snob like an OSU snob. Oh, sorry, tOSU.
Between the snobbery and the fact that I go to OU, a well-known party school, we have had some heated arguments about the quality of each other's schools. But over the last 5 years, we've learned a few things, both about OU and OSU, and about how to communicate about them (and when to shut the hell up).
1. Do not bring up the bands. No, really. Just don't.
There is no happy ending in this argument. If you can help it, don't even attend football games together, because you will spend the entire second half wanting to rip your Buckeye's head off because they are deluded enough to believe TBDBITL (another stupid acronym) could ever be better than the 110. You both believe your band is better. Neither one of you will ever compromise. Just don't go there. Things can escalate quickly.
2. Give OSU some credit.
I know, I know, very counter intuitive. But save your dignity and just accept now that there some things about OSU that don't totally suck.
For instance, Columbus is one of the only cities in Ohio that is actually growing. That means there are jobs there. Living there for 4 years while you get your degree gives you a chance to make a lot of connections to help you get those jobs, something that is much harder in Athens. And for a city, Columbus has a surprising amount of beautiful green space. It isn't nestled into the foothills, but it's no concrete jungle either.
3. But don't let your Buckeye forget all the reasons to love OU.
Sure, OSU isn't the worst school in the world. But that doesn't make it the best. OU is home to the top journalism program in the country, is objectively gorgeous, and has a community unlike any other. On my first college visit, my parents and I were hopelessly lost, but within five minutes, we had several people stop and offer to direct us, unsolicited. People here genuinely care.
4. Don't take any crap about being a party school.
Don't let your Buckeye (or anyone else) convince you that OU is somehow lesser because it knows how to throw a good party. Is it a little excessive? Sure. Does it get a bit crazy? Of course. But is it really fair to compare the party scene in Athens with that of Columbus? No, not at all. Columbus is a huge city with tons of options for drinking activities. In Athens, there's only so many ways to go out. So as a community we got creative and came up with fest season, a celebration of Athens' beauty returning from winter's death (except for Palmer Fest this year...what was with the snow??). Besides, half the crazy incidents you read about in the papers don't even involve OU students. It's always students from other schools who think 'party school' means 'do whatever you want'.
5. Enjoy your time in Athens.
Nothing will convince your Buckeye of the merits of Athens like seeing you happy. So go for a hike, get a pickle shot at Jackie O's, embrace Athens while you can. Because let's face it, you'll be moving to Columbus soon enough.
