For all you seniors out there, and even you freshmen college students, you’re having some very disconcerting realizations.
1. You’re going to have to pay for every meal
It sure was nice when your parents gave you a couple bucks to go out with your friends or pick up dinner after that long practice. Not anymore! You’re not even going to be able to come home to a home-cooked dinner anymore. You’re going to learn that everything costs money, so work hard, study hard and you’ll be just fine.
2. You’re not going to get to see your mom every morning
Remember how every morning, despite what mood you were in, your mom was always the happy person wishing you off to school? And even though you were grumpy most of the time, you know you’re going to miss it when it’s gone. If you’re not a morning person already, you’re going to have to find a way to not hate life in the morning. Hint: lots and lots and lots of coffee.
3. If you forget something, your parents aren’t going to be there to remind you
Despite whether you appreciated it at the time or not, your parents were always there to remind you of the necessary things… from doing your homework to eating breakfast as you’re rushing out the door. But in college, they’re not going to be there anymore; you’re going to have to learn how to be organized and meticulous. I would suggest that you get real comfortable with post-its! Remembering everything that’s going to rush at you all in a whirlwind is going to be incredibly difficult and your parents aren’t going to be there to help you, but you are going to learn how to keep your life straight and you need that skill to survive.
4. Your bed is no longer going to be your bed
No more coming home and plopping down on that perfectly imprinted bed that you’ve been sleeping in for the past 18 years. No, you will be plopping down on a squeaky, uneven, not imprinted to your body, bed. Not only that, you won’t ever be alone while plopping down either. You no longer live alone, you no longer have a room entirely to yourself either, it’s all your roommate’s as well. Find a good roommate, however, and you’ll be glad you’re not alone in the rollercoaster called college.
5. When you get sick, your mom’s not going to be there to take care of you
Moms make the best nurses- bringing you tea, covering you with blankets and making you hot soup. You’re soon going to have to be your own nurse. No denying that being taken care of feels much better than taking care of yourself, so maybe your roommate will be your nurse while you’re sick and you can be theirs when they’re sick. Make sure you call your mom when you’re sick anyways though, sometimes her voice will make you feel a little better (even if it doesn’t, she’ll be glad to hear you miss her.)
6. You’re going to have to do your own laundry, dishes, and cooking
Chores were awful when you were at home and didn’t have to do all of them, but now you are going to have to do everything all by yourself. Your laundry, your dishes, your cooking, your dusting, your sweeping, your vacuuming, your bathroom cleaning… are you excited yet?
7. You don’t get to come home to your dog anymore.
Every night you came home, your dog was there waiting for you, excited to see you. Who’s going to greet you now? Who’s going to add a smile to your face on your bad days? Cuddle you when you’re upset, tired or just nervous for that midterm? You’re going to miss your dog, admit it. Maybe your roommate will learn to wag their tail for you.
8. Your favorite meals are always going to be hours away.
We all have those home cooked meals that we crave, especially when we’re sick, upset, nervous or stressed out. Our favorite cooks (aka: our family) were always happy to make them too, but come college that’s all going to change. Can’t exactly mail mom’s jambalaya. This will give you the opportunity, however, to not only learn how to cook but maybe give you the courage to be adventurous and try new foods. You’ll find new favorite meals, I guarantee it; and, it will make those home cooked meals taste even better when you do make the trip home.
9. You’re going to have to make all new friends.
College is a time for exploring and finding yourself. Having to make all new friends isn’t necessarily a bad thing, it means you get to meet new people that will expand your horizons. You will meet people that will change your perspective, make you question things you’ve always taken for granted and discover things that you never thought you’d find a true love for.
10. You won’t have a car to drive wherever, whenever you want to.
Having a car at your fingertips was fantastic; but, think about it this way… you are going to be in much better shape by having to walk, and bike, everywhere. You’ll also get to explore new paths that your car wouldn’t have gotten you to.
College is a time for exploring, for finding yourself; and, although the reality that hits you in college may be intimidating… your family is only a call away and if you find yourself a good roommate, they’re going to make everything even better. Think of college as an adventure.
