What if I told you everything you heard about college might not be true? Here are 10 common myths about college that are completely false.
1. You are the only one who is lost/overwhelmed/nervous.
In reality, everyone is just as lost as you are. If they say they aren’t, they are lying. No one knows what they are doing at first but you will soon get the hang of it. It’s okay to ask someone for help, no one is going to judge you if you can’t find the library.
2. You and your roommate are going to be best friends.
Living with people is hard. Especially if you are used to having your own space. All though being best friends may be an added bonus, sometimes the best roommates are the ones with the same sleep schedule and cleanliness as you.
3. There are popular kids.
No one actually cares what anyone else is doing. Honestly, we are all too concerned about how we are going to fit three pages of notes onto one note card and if we have enough money to buy another coffee to notice.
4. Everyone drinks.
I know shocker right? It’s true, though, not everyone drinks. You can still go out, have fun and make friends and you don’t have to drink.
5. Most people graduate in 4 years.
Taking an extra year or two has become a common practice. 59% of full-time students take 6 years to complete a bachelor’s degree program according to the National Center for Education Statistics.
6. Gaining the freshman 15 is inevitable.
If you eat pizza for every meal you might put on some weight but your dining hall is more than likely going to have an assortment of options to choose from. If you pay attention to what you’re eating and try put some vegetables on your plate every now and then, you’ll be fine.
7. The parties are just like in the movies.
While part of this depends on where you choose to go to school, chances are the parties are nothing like Animal House. Realistically, they will be held in some basement that is about 100 degrees and is DJ’d by the kid that lives down the hall.
8. You have to know what you want to do with your life when you start.
A lot of schools don’t make you choose a major until your sophomore or junior year. It also totally okay to realize halfway through your freshman year that accounting isn’t for you, you can change your major at any time.
9. The “college experience”.
I’m about to enter my Senior year of college and I don’t actually know what the college experience is or if I’ve had it. College is purely what you make it. You have to go to the events that the school puts on, you have to get out and meet people, you have to make an effort or you won’t enjoy yourself.
10. College isn’t for everyone.
There are thousands of colleges in the United States and thousand more around the world. You just have to find the right one for you. There is no age limit, just because college might not be an option for you right after high school, does not mean you can’t go later on.
