What I wish I knew as a Freshman: Moving in from out-of-state
“So, where are you headed after graduation?”
“Utah State University.”
“Oh! Wow. That should be interesting.”
Such went the majority of my conversations before I left my home in Oregon for the dry air and blinding sun of Utah.
This is why I caution incoming freshman when listening to what their peers have to say about this peculiar state. I’d argue I arrived at school more suspicious of Utah than I had been six months earlier when I was opening the acceptance letter to USU, my dad’s alma mater. Home of the Aggies.
Word of advice. Take what others have to say about Utah with a grain of salt. Go and see it for yourself. Don’t waste precious time being apprehensive when you should be getting “juiced,” as we say in the northwest. I was warned about all kinds of Utah phenomena, from armageddon-like winter conditions, to sister wives — you can be certain I was not blasting off for Freshman year without a few technical difficulties. Trust your gut. And if my experience is any consolation to you wary out-of-staters, my gut was right. USU became my home away from home.
Sure, Utah is an interesting place. But it’s just one of fifty states, each with their respective quirks and histories. It’s not a black hole that sucks unsuspecting victims into it, never to release them. It’s not where dreams go to die.
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Quite the contrary actually. I found I loved living in Utah because my preconceived notions of what it was “going to be like” were soon debunked.
Coming from liberal Oregon, cultural differences were my first item of concern. But those were soon laid to rest as I realized that (1) one truly can find like-minded people so long as one looks for them, and (2) people do surprise you. I even surprised myself as I became more tolerant and understanding of those folks I had previously stereotyped as “typical Utahns” without actually getting to know them. Remember: as an out-of-state freshman, you will likely need to find yourself a whole new pack of friends. So get out there. Go to dances. Go to PoBev. Get cozy with the kids in your classes, join clubs and take social risks. It’s a fresh start and you have nothing to lose yet lots to gain. Be yourself.
However, perhaps the Utah lifestyle isn’t what worries you coming in from out of state. Perhaps you’re worried that your classes will be taught at a different level than they were back home. Maybe you don’t know how to pump your own gas (yup, that was me). Maybe you’re going to miss your Texas BBQ, or go crazy in a landlocked state, coming from SoCal.
Alex (Kentucky) says, “If you’re not used to the dry climate, you might get unexpected nose bleeds and feel a little scaly on your skin. Then when it starts to snow in September you’ll be utterly confused as to what is going on only to find out that’s pretty normal. Embracing the long winters was definitely a challenge.”
Maybe you have no family in the area. “There were ups and downs being a freshman in college. Had my own responsibilities and didn’t have to fight for my food with my siblings. I was lazy when it came to making food”, laughs Lyann (Oregon).
Being away from your mom’s cooking and not going home on weekends along with your roommates might be the biggest challenge of all, but you’ll be okay. Buy some Chapstick. Ask for help at the gas station. And remember, you’re only an outsider if you make yourself one.
-Vivian Gates
viviangates29@gmail.com