It is hard to go back to high school once you have been to college. This is what I was thinking on a recent visit to the University of Georgia.

In The Search Part 1, I evaluated my college preferences ranging from the size of the school to the location. By the end of the article I concluded that I would look to attend a large university with a top athletic program that enjoyed generally warm temperatures.

I had the chance to visit a school that had all of the attributes that I am seeking. My sister is a freshman at UGA and in September my family and I went to see her and to give me a tour around the huge campus. The University of Georgia is surrounded by a pristine college town, Athens, just about an hour outside of Atlanta. Athens is a highly-rated town known for its live music scene and many upscale restaurants, stores, and bars that get filled come night time.

I went to Georgia’s first home football game of the year. The whole college was packed with alumni and students alike. Traveling through campus to the stadium, I noted that the academic buildings were large pillared structures made out of marble and nice brick. It is a beautiful campus and definitely a major upgrade from John Jay.

The 93,000 person stadium was right in the middle of campus, packed with fans decked out in red, black, and white UGA gear. I loved the school spirit that was on display.

As we arrived at our seats, I began to question if I could handle the southern heat. I was boiling in the stands as the sun was shining on me with the 100 degree temperature. My mood improved after I ate two Chik-Fil-A sandwiches. Since then I have realized that despite it being scorchingly hot at the beginning of the school year in the south, the winter months is when the weather will be at its best. I am currently writing this article with six inches of snow around my house with the highest temperature of this week projected to be 44 degrees. Meanwhile, my sister will be enjoying a high of 73 degrees this week with nothing but green grass all around her.   

Later that night it was finally time for me to experience the nightlife of Athens. After dinner and stopping at Insomnia Cookies for dessert, it was the prime time of midnight: when downtown Athens, just steps from campus, is overrun with college kids. Students seemed to be having the times of their lives at the many bars that I kept passing. The common sight was groups of college kids pouring in and out of bars and jovially roaming Athens’ festive downtown streets.  I looked all around me, with a smile on my face and a burst of adrenaline in my bloodstream.

This was the first night of my life when I actually imagined myself going to college, and the excitement began to grow. As a tall upperclassmen in high school, I felt as if I blended into the college scene, although I probably had the wide-eyes of someone’s younger brother. Watching all these kids having so much fun made it difficult to travel back to John Jay. Staying in Athens would have been great, although I realize that I am still not fully ready for college. College is, however, now firmly in sight.

The trip confirmed for me what I thought I was looking for in a college. I will now set out to find other prospective choices that fit the bill, as well- oh and finish up this high school thing too.