I don't know how other colleges are, but finding off-campus housing at West Chester is the biggest struggle. It's like finding a diamond in the rough if you find a place that isn't falling down and rent isn't $900+ (per person). I know right? Having the opportunity to live off campus is a great experience but there is a huge roller coaster of emotions before you even get to sign a lease.
4. "This place looks cute!"
10. "So how are we gonna decorate?"
Every Time I See A College Tour Group Walk By I Just Want to Scream 'It's a TRAAAPP!'
It's officially that time of year - anywhere you walk on campus, there's bound to be a gaggle of parents and befuddled high school students winding their way through building after building. In front of them stands an overenthusiastic tour guide, spouting off statistics about the school so fast they'll make your head spin.
Unfortunately, what the tour guide says doesn't exactly line up with what goes on at the school. Oh, the things we students wish we could shout out to the parents as they pass by.
1. "You'll get sick of the dining!"
It may look like there's something new to eat every single day, but by the end of the semester, you'll be sick of everything except the things closest at home.
2. "I'm only here for the free t-shirts!"
Seriously.
3. "IT'S A TRAP!"
Seriously, part two. You get two of three things: a social life, sleep, or good grades. Whoever said you could have all three is lying.
4. "Welcome to the real world, suckers!"
It's got confrontation, taking care of yourself, and formal emails. (Which, of course, your professor will respond with 'k thnx bai' sent from their iPhone.)
5. "Say goodbye to sleep!"
There are three types of people on campus: tea drinkers, coffee drinkers, and people with energy drinks running through their veins.
6. "THE MODEL DORM IS A LIE!" ![]()
Check all of your housing options before you move in. The dorm they're showing you might be the worst housing area on campus.
7. "THE FINANCIAL AID IS A LIE!"
You're getting squat. Free tuition? Try the tune of $13k a year. Or more. Depending.
8. "The library is NOT the best study place."
Depending on your major, there are several places for you to study that aren't the library.
9. "The health center sucks!"
True fact: word through the grapevine is that someone once got antibiotics for a sprained ankle.You may as well sell that leg on the black market to cover the costs.
10. "Believe the roommate horror stories!"
All random roommates are horrible unless proven otherwise. (But be wary of everyone.)
11. "SI (student instructor) sessions are useless."
You will learn nothing . Chances are you'll end up correcting the instructor.
12. "The freshman fifteen is optional." ![]()
Some people don't gain it at all, and some people really gain it. It's up to you.
13. "You'll need a car!!"
If, for some reason you can't pay for the overpriced parking pass, find a friend who can.
14. "Hookup culture is real!"![]()
But it's not for everyone. Just because everyone is doing it doesn't mean you have to.
15. "Campus jobs are a myth!" ![]()
Campus job? What's a campus job? Do you have work-study? No? No job for you. Have you tried the local coffee shop?
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Learn more Start Creating13 Things I Wish I Would Have Known At 13
Turns out, we are not called to be invisible our whole lives.
Being a 13-year-old awkward middle school student is never easy. Growing up, I used to wish for someone older in my life who could give me advice that I needed to hear at the time. While my parents may have tried to give me advice, it probably would've been better received coming from someone closer to my age who I viewed as "cool" or looked up to. These words of truth and motivation are exactly what I needed to hear at 13 and sometimes what I need to hear now. Reflecting on this stage of my life has been very rewarding, and I hope you can do the same.
1. It's okay to ask for help

Asking someone to pray for you is good. Letting others speak into your life is good. Leaning on your friends shoulders is good. I cannot begin to tell you how many times I had to re-affirm my self that asking people to pray for me and to just be with me was okay to do. We were not created to be alone in our struggles.
2. Being goofy isn't lame

This is who you ARE. Let yourself be your fun goofy self. Life doesn't have to be serious all the time
3. It's okay to help your mom around the house

It's okay to ask to help, to be apart of what's cooking, to be a hand in anything that you can help doing.
4. Your worth is more than the lies that you hear

You may hear lies that you are not good enough and that your worth is placed based upon your actions, but those voices are wrong.
5. Boys are NOT worth it right now

Sister, there is NO need for a boy in your life. It will do nothing but shatter your heart and send you into a tornado of crazy emotions. Focus your attention on something else. Invest your time into friendships, find a hobby you enjoy, learn to do something new. Boys will always be there, and right now they should not be your main focus.
6. Delete Facebook

I know everyone has it, but you don't have to be like everyone else. The internet can easily consume all of your time and that is not okay. Put forth your time into things that are worth while.
7. If the words your friends say to you hurt, tell them

You're not being lame, and your'e not being a bad friend. Telling others how you feel is a practice that will serve you well for the rest of your life. Don't be afraid of being honest- even if it's uncomfortable.
8. You don't have to fix all your friends problems

You are a mediator, and that is a gift, but you were not meant to have everyone's burdens placed upon your shoulders. If one of your friends is going through something serious, tell someone who is older and someone you can trust.
9. You don't need to be ashamed of your culture

Your ethnicity and culture is beautiful. Learn to appreciate it and to learn more about it. Those who make fun of you are not worth your time. Don't let the words of other people dictate your feelings.
10. Learn to be thankful for what you have

Material items will not satisfy you. Be thankful with what you have and be quick to offer generosity to those who have less than you.
11. Just because your friends like a certain type of music, doesn't mean you have to also

Listen to what YOU want to listen to. You know what music will fill your soul with joy and what music will make you feel uneasy and gross. You are your own unique person- remember that.
12. God's plan for your life is already beautifully planned out

Right now, it may be very hard to accept that God's plan for your life is the right one. He makes beautiful things out of you, just watch and see how He will grow you into love. Trust Him, it's worth it.
13. You are loved, loved , loved.

Even when you feel forgotten, unworthy, not good enough, broken, tired, and annoyed. You are loved beyond all measure. You are seen, you are not invisible, and you will become confident, bold, and strong.