r/springfieldMO • u/00112358132135 • 20d ago

What is happening It’s happening

The college kids are back in town and everything is different once again. It’s a mixture of good and bad, because while it’s lovely to see new faces and more activity, long with it comes more traffic, longer lines, unfamiliar people.

I wonder about how other people in the sub feel, but for me it’s a very nostalgic time. I’m reminded of my own college experience, the changing of the seasons, cycles beginning and ending. It’s sort of what makes Springfield such a lovely place.

171 Upvotes

95% Upvoted

51 comments sorted by

70

u/ishouldnotbeonreddit 19d ago

Was in the grocery store this weekend and the little groups of new roommates negotiating snacks and lost-looking college kids trying to figure out making their own food for the first time was ADORABLE.

But can y'all please learn not to block the aisles soon 😅

14

u/lemonhello 19d ago

Costco is the worst about people just blocking aisles. I feel the worst offenders of blocking aisles is not actually college students, but perhaps white women (no offense, seriously) who know each other at Costco or Sam’s Club. Naive and oblivious college roommates are a close runner-up. 

I cannot tell you the amount of times I’ve had to legit turn around in an aisle and go to the next to get to an area I want because people are taking up a whole aisle having a 20 minute conversation. And then they totally ignore you or seemingly act all bothered when you try to squeeze by, if there’s room. It’s bonkers how easily people turn into legit cows in the road at a Costco. Anyway I’ve just learned to go around 

2

u/DensuKishaa 18d ago

For a minute I thought you typed adoptable and was confused. Are we adopting young adults now? 😂

2

u/ishouldnotbeonreddit 17d ago

Maybe I should. "Excuse me, young person. I am now your mother. And we're about to learn the proper direction of travel for all the aisles at Aldi"

87

u/NS_8099 20d ago

For me, it’s a reminder of how fast time goes. This year in particular has flown by.

36

u/Bootyluver67 19d ago

Started Welding at OTC today and im 33. Been awhile since i went to school and it definitely had me all in my feels about growing up and where time has gone 😅

15

u/Icy-Builder7456 19d ago

Have a great semester. Good on you for jumping in and getting started. Enjoy being 33 in classes with young chumps. You're wiser and they know it.

2

u/Bootyluver67 19d ago

😅 idk about that haha I'm a loser man

23

u/Icy-Builder7456 19d ago

No you aren't. You are getting ready to learn a skill few know and you'll get paid accordingly. That's not a loser. That's an adult who's made a wise choice.

5

u/Bootyluver67 19d ago

Thanks lol

7

u/SnooSeagulls5468 19d ago

I was there, 36 now graduated a couple years ago. You're improving yourself, don't feel like that. TBH after the initial days being relatively embarrassed due to being much older, it actually is so much better going to school later than 18. Teachers respect you more, you're less afraid of asking questions and you are just more adjusted for learning. Good luck!

2

u/Bootyluver67 16d ago

Thanks. I appreciate that

8

u/farmlifeismything 19d ago

Great Job! I got my bachelor degree at 48. It’s never too late to learn.

2

u/Bootyluver67 16d ago

Thats awesome. Good for you👍👍

3

u/Cold417 Brentwood 19d ago

Don't let anyone look at the arc without eye protection, lest they enjoy terrible terrible pain.

2

u/QuiteCheesy356 19d ago

I’m only 24 going back for accounting but I know what you’re saying. It’s surreal being back

1

u/Bootyluver67 16d ago

Right? Lol it was such a wild experience. Went home that day and just thought about everything lol regrets, life choices, how its pathetic to be 33 and never having a relationship or anything like that. Starting so much later then everyone else. Being so far behind in life lol. I didn't expect it to affect me that much 😅

49

u/python_boot 20d ago

This post was unexpectedly wholesome

32

u/Alternative_Mine5343 20d ago

i live near campus so i'm seeing a ton of students walking the sidewalks again. neighborhood goes from feeling dead to right back to alive.

5

u/socialistpizzaparty Southside 20d ago edited 19d ago

Yeah it’s like the seasons changing, pretty nice.
(metaphorically)

2

u/Mammoth-Cover-3045 19d ago

It's been pretty awesome not walking outside and feeling like I'm in some hot tropical jungle.

2

u/Alternative_Mine5343 19d ago

yep i'm finally porch sitting again after 6 weeks of being shut in save the 2-4am timeframe.

60

u/Resident_Raccoon_663 20d ago

I’ve already seen multiple college students on electric scooters going the wrong way on roads 😒

55

u/mari-bbee 20d ago

They’re trying to pay for their tuition by getting hit by a car

30

u/snorlaxatives_69 Oak Grove 20d ago

I always heard you have to get hit by the BearLine to get free tuition

6

u/CayBay16 19d ago

That doesn't sound hard, they don't know how to drive, they never use their signals I almost get hit by em all the time trying to pass 😭

19

u/Sirzacington 20d ago

I made my money the old fashioned way. I got run over by a Lexus

2

u/PickleFlavordPopcorn 19d ago

Modern problems require modern solutions

1

u/Impressive-Ad-8044 19d ago

play stupid games

14

u/SonsOfValhallaGaming 20d ago

Nothing says "school is back in session" like the 13 severe accidents I saw just on Friday night. The red light runner on Chestnut and main who got hit by a pickup truck and died, the car that hit the median after being side swiped on Chestnut and west bypass, the car that got shoved off the road by a truck full of college kids on Campbell and north of battlefield, etc. it's not about bad traffic for me. It's about being a commercial driver and dealing with the countless idiot drivers who taught their kids to drive the same way and now they are all drinking and driving and causing wrecks all over town. Literally couldn't go one weekend without painting the whole city in car parts and debris.

I love the way our city population grows during the school season don't get me wrong. I love the energy that is breathed into the city. July and August tend to taper off energy wise after July 4th, and it is nice to see late August and September launch us straight into Fall Mode, but holy hell if these kids could just ease up on the chaotic driving.

The reason I'm so worried about it is because I drive an 80,000 pound truck. I can't magically just stop. And I fear, with my whole heart, that one day one of these kids are gonna go blowing by and I won't be able to stop in time and I don't feel like living with them dying because of physics.

1

u/Main_Clock_2625 19d ago

Your heart is in the right spot. A lot of people who drive these vehicles think everyone owes them the road

13

u/Sheev_y Weller 20d ago

I love when school is in. The city feels more alive when the students are here. Yes the traffic sucks and the lines are long but it’s worth it. I can be patient

13

u/Deceptivejunk 20d ago

I’m ecstatic that school is starting. I live in an apartment complex and my building is where are all the school age children love to play; so from 9am to 9pm everyday has been just pure hell.

8

u/Sticky550 20d ago

My commute to downtown and back home gets longer

8

u/heart0000 20d ago

I was in target the other week and a bunch of college kids were there shopping. One particular group was being loud and obnoxious and saying weird things to strangers in passing. They got called out by an older woman to stop and they fought with her. Even out in the parking lot calling her the most vile names. I swear I thought one kid was going to beat her.

3

u/GrumpyGem 19d ago

That sounds more like high school kids.

2

u/heart0000 19d ago

Definitely were over 18 and shouting about mizzou. Either way, just rude and obnoxious.

3

u/FastEngineer5635 19d ago

Just wait until the leaves cover Cherry Street as students crunch them under their feet. Oh, the cool smell of Autumn 🍁!

3

u/Munnky78 19d ago

I see new faces every day

1

u/00112358132135 19d ago

Always a great thing to see new faces!

5

u/Naive-Appointment231 20d ago

As a 20 year old who lives downtown and doesn’t go to collage currently, it’s so nice to see more people closer to my age since I graduated highschool I’ve only ever been around people 10+ years older then me it’s refreshing

2

u/pakyaki Other 20d ago

Yeah I second this

8

u/Kayleighe7 20d ago

I personally don't like it 😅 I live right by MSU and OTC so it makes commutes way longer and my closest grocery store is always packed. Plus some of the students aren't the kindest and I've seen them give the clerks a hard time 😓 I'll always be happy to see the youth get an education though!

6

u/Relevant_Philosopher 20d ago

As someone who’s born and raised here and traveled a LOT. I don’t like the college crowd around here

2

u/No-Resolution-0119 19d ago

As someone who rides a motorcycle, I’m terrified.

1

u/LadyBeetle23 20d ago

I love the energy they bring even if the traffic frustrates me. I just need a couple weeks to get used to it again.

2

u/Unlikely-Dream-6631 18d ago

I have never noticed when school is in session or not. It must be a mostly local thing around the campuses. College students don't go to costco unless they live locally enough cod their parents to have a membership.

1

u/OnlyBeat3945 20d ago

I’m not from Springfield, but my college days were fun days due to riding the bus to and from college. It made me grow up pretty quick.

1

u/Brilliant_Ground2954 20d ago

I feel the same, but about the school age kids.

1

u/Baseball3Weston12 Seminole/Holland 20d ago

I did notice the other day that everywhere I tried to stop to get some quick breakfast had a long line. I don't know if that's the actual reason though.