Now
that you have read about the mistakes I’ve made and what I have learned
from them you should be in for some smooth sailing. The best thing about higher
education is all the choices and paths you can take. Yours may be
nothing like mine but in the end we will all find ourselves in the same
place; walking across the stage with a diploma in our hands.
Until that day you will have to live close to or at Worcester State
University. Unless you study abroad... but that is a path that I did not
venture down and am unable to advise you about. The only advice I could
give would be if you can do it and you want to do it then GO, because
you may not have the chance to stay in another country for such a long
period of time ever again. For those of us who aren’t planning on
studying abroad we have to find adventures in of the city and state we
live in. If you live on campus or even commute the cafeteria can get a
bit boring. I highly recommend going down the street to Elsa’s Bushel
and Peck. Just take a left out of campus and it’s a straight shot. After
the first set of lights it’s on the left after the gas station. They
have delicious sandwiches on special every day generally for under six dollars and
the portions are very generous.
As a citizen of Worcester for my entire life I can recommend some
pretty neat places to go that you may overlook as a student who is new
to the city. If you like sushi the only place to go is Baba Sushi on
Park Ave. It’s expensive but completely worth it. The best bagels in the
city are at Bagel Time on Park Ave. The best hummus and imported foods
are at Bahnan’s International Market and the best olives are at Hyder’s
Market both located on Pleasant Street. Tweeds has the best cheap food
and burgers in the city.
Worcester’s best bars aren’t on all Water or Green St. Nick’s on
Millbury Street has some great live music and hilarious bar tenders with
a patio for smokers. Vincents has the most interesting decor in the
city included a stuffed baboon head on mounted on the wall along with an
assortment of other taxidermy and pictures of people and places in
Worcester from the early twentieth century. If you like metal and punk
rock Ralph’s is the place to be. They have amazing local and at times
international bands come and perform for a small cover. If you don’t
want to pay the cover you can still drink downstairs and order one of
their delicious handmade burgers. On tuesdays they have poetry slams
with some very talented artists and anyone is free to take their turn at
the mic.
All in all Worcester is a great city. It just takes some exploring and
research to find the most interesting places to go. Don’t waste your
money going to some chain restaurant that exists in every state. Seek
out the local businesses, the food is of higher quality and the service
is much better too. Maybe you’ll make friends with the owners and they
will give you some free stuff! So get out there and ask Worcesterites
about their favorite restaurants and places to hang. They would be happy
to let you know. Don’t let anyone fool you, Worcester is a wonderful
city with a rich culture and history.
