Tampa: Where I Became Me
The first time I stepped onto the University of Tampa's campus, I knew.
This was where I wanted to spend the next four years of my life.
It wasn't because of the party scene. In fact, that's never really been my thing. It was the atmosphere. The palm trees, the sunshine, the water, the energy of the city—it immediately felt like the place I had been searching for ever since I was a little girl dreaming of somewhere bigger than my hometown.
Coming to Tampa wasn't just moving away for college.
It was the beginning of my independence.
For the first time, I had to figure life out on my own. Grocery shopping, cooking, balancing school, internships, friendships, workouts, and everything in between. It taught me responsibility, confidence, and showed me that I was capable of building a life for myself.
One of my favorite things about living in Tampa is the lifestyle.
I love that I can walk almost everywhere. I can walk to the grocery store, grab a smoothie after class, stop by Sprouts, or spend hours wandering around the city. There is something so freeing about not always needing to get in a car.
The Riverwalk quickly became one of my favorite places. Walking along the water, watching boats go by, seeing dolphins swimming in the river, and ending the evening with a Florida sunset never gets old. Bayshore Boulevard is another place I find myself returning to over and over again. Watching people run, bike, rollerblade, and simply enjoy being outside reminds me how much environment can influence your mindset.
That is one of the reasons I love Tampa so much.
People move.
They walk.
They exercise.
They sit outside at cafés.
They take advantage of the sunshine instead of hiding from it.
That kind of lifestyle inspires me.
The sunshine might be my favorite part.
Coming from Pennsylvania, where winters often left me feeling unmotivated, living somewhere that is bright and sunny most days of the year has completely changed my daily life. I've realized how much I need sunlight to feel like my best self. When the sun is out, I naturally want to wake up earlier, work harder, go on walks, exercise, and spend time outside.
It's amazing how much a place can affect your mindset.
My campus is one of my favorite places in the city. Walking between classes surrounded by palm trees still hasn't gotten old. Sometimes I have to stop and remind myself that this is my everyday life.
After classes, I love spending time by the pool. It's become part of my routine—a way to slow down, soak up the sun, and appreciate where I am.
Tampa also introduced me to something I didn't realize I valued so much: wellness.
Healthy cafés, smoothie shops, grocery stores like Sprouts, outdoor workouts, long walks by the water—it all fits naturally into everyday life here. It feels like a city where people genuinely care about taking care of themselves, and being surrounded by that motivates me to do the same.
The city is full of life.
There is always something happening. Farmers markets on the weekends, concerts, sporting events, cafés filled with people working on laptops, boats out on the water, and people enjoying the beautiful weather. Every day feels like there is an opportunity to explore somewhere new.
Living here has also shown me how important it is to surround yourself with ambitious people.
Being around students chasing big dreams, entrepreneurs starting businesses, and professionals building successful careers pushes me to work harder. Their ambition becomes contagious. It reminds me that the life I want is possible if I continue putting in the work.
Tampa isn't cheap.
Living here is expensive, and sometimes that can be stressful. But in an unexpected way, it motivates me. It pushes me to think bigger, work harder, and continue building a life that gives me the freedom to live in places like this.
Looking back, choosing the University of Tampa was one of the best decisions I've ever made.
It wasn't just where I earned my degree.
It was where I discovered the kind of environment that brings out the best version of me.
I learned that I need sunshine.
I need palm trees.
I need water nearby.
I need to be somewhere people are outside moving their bodies, chasing their goals, and making the most of every day.
Tampa gave me more than an education.
It gave me confidence, independence, friendships, and a glimpse into the kind of life I want to build for myself.
No matter where in the world I end up, Tampa will always be the place where I truly became me.
