When I arrived at SMU four years ago, I was nervous, excited and eager to start a new chapter. I felt lucky as there were other students here from my hometown of Chicago, but I would still FaceTime my high school friends every day.
Closing the high school yearbook and adjusting to a new chapter of independence scared me. The Texas sun felt foreign, the southern charm unfamiliar and the thought of starting fresh in a city far from home felt overwhelming. But this is what I want to tell students just getting here: somewhere between your first In-N-Out burger after a night out and your last walk to class as a senior, you’re going to find your comfort places and they’ll end up feeling like home.
You might be surprised where you find them. Sometimes it’s not a person or even a place, but a bagel. The morning after your first party, grab your roommate and head to Shug’s Bagels on Mockingbird. The line will be long and filled with people you saw out last night, but that’s how it’s supposed to be. There’s something about a Shug’s bacon, egg and cheese with a Dr. Pepper that will fix everything.
If you’re from a colder city like me, you might start missing the cozy charm and the chill in the air. That’s where DL Mack’s comes in. Nestled off Hillcrest just across from campus, this Chicago-style spot feels like a warm hug with its dim lighting, plaid booths and crispy tavern-style pizza. It reminds me of home, and sometimes, that’s desperately needed.
When college feels overwhelming, which it will, take a run on the Katy Trail. It’s calm, quiet and doesn’t ask anything of you. Just breathe and listen to the sounds around you. If you need to call your parents and rant a little–we’ve all been there–, take a walk down Beverly Drive. The tree-lined sidewalks are comforting, and there’s something about strolling past those pretty houses while talking to your parents that can soothe every worry.
And when the week gets rough? Barley House on SMU Boulevard has the answer: chicken tenders, a cherry limeade and a whole lot of ranch. Sit on the patio, let the music wash over you and laugh with your friends. You deserve to blow off steam.
Trying to stay active may seem hard, especially if you’re used to a strong high school sports regimen. Check out Williams Park for pickleball. You may not think you’re a pickleball person, but give it a try. There’s nothing like smacking a ball across the court to help you forget about your statistics quiz for a while.
When homesickness hits your stomach, go to City Café on Lovers Lane. It’s the kind of place where the tomato soup tastes like it was made by someone who loves you. For a closer walk from campus, stop by Kuby’s or Short Stop, both in Snider Plaza, for a chicken salad that tastes like your mom made it herself. Those little bites of comfort matter more than you think.
For a great matcha or coffee, nothing beats LDU. This smaller spot on Preston Road has the most consistent coffee in all of Dallas. For dinner with your new best friends—because trust me, you’ll find them—head to Doce Mesas on McKinney. It’s loud and bright and full of energy—the kind of place where your drink disappears in minutes and the laughter lasts for hours.
If you need to catch up on homework and don’t want to sit in Fondren Library, Foxtrot’s patio is perfect. It’s the right mix of peaceful and social, and just across from Snider Plaza. If you’re ever in a nostalgic mood, grab a booth at Slider and Blues on Hillcrest–it feels like stepping back in time and the Caesar salad wrap is to die for.
On sunny Saturdays, get a group together and go to Truck Yard in Lower Greenville or Katy Trail Ice House. Both are the kind of places where you wear sunglasses, have a ranch water and remember that college isn’t just about classes–it’s about moments.
Of course, there are places on campus that naturally become a part of your routine. Your sorority or fraternity house eventually becomes a second home, Highland Park Village or the shops in the Knox Henderson area become your spot for retail therapy and a trip to Osgood O’Neil in Snider Plaza becomes crucial when you need a haircut and can’t wait for an appointment back home with your usual stylist. Also, don’t underestimate the magic of hanging out on the lawn in front of Dallas Hall between classes, watching people walk by, chatting with friends or just lying in the sun with headphones on.
Most importantly, don’t underestimate how meaningful it is to spend time in other people’s dorms. Some of your most important friendships will be formed on random Tuesday nights sitting on someone else’s floor, talking about nothing. You may even meet your best friend in your dorm elevator. It is the smallest moments you’ll remember the most.
Eventually, all of these spots will start to feel like home to you, as they did for me. And just when you’ve settled in, you’ll blink and it’ll be senior year. Take your time finding your rhythm and give yourself space to grow into this place. SMU starts as an uncharted campus but before you know it, it’s yours.
