Transitioning from high school to college was an overwhelming time in my life. The idea of abandoning everything I had ever known for a completely new lifestyle was intimidating. I was the type of student who treasured my four years of high school. My classes were fun, I respected my teachers, and I had a few solid social groups. This is why I was bitter when college crept up — I knew it was here to steal all of these aspects of my life away forever.
A year has passed since, and with a year of college under my belt, I am here to admit that I had nothing to fret about. The college type of lifestyle has proven to be much better than I had anticipated. Here are ten reasons that you can get excited to put high school behind you and start a college life.
1. Independence
Suffering through your parent’s agenda and curfews are a pain of the past. At college, you are able to create and maintain your own schedule. You establish your own routines, class schedule and sleeping patterns.
2. Classes you enjoy.
In high school, everyone is forced to take mandatory classes that may not reflect your personal interests. For example, math has never been a subject for me to get excited about. Rather than attending one of those, I plan on attending a radio course this upcoming semester. This actually makes me excited for school to start again.
3. More social time.
There is almost always extra time in the day to hang out with friends, especially if you are a resident. Because everyone is on campus, it’s very easy to make last-minute plans to hang out.
4. Self-discovery.
Learning about yourself is one of the greatest benefits of college. You will almost inevitably find yourself losing old interests and picking up new ones. You will mature, morals will change, and you will become more confident in your skin. College brings along new challenges and experiences. These events help you grow more than any high school class ever could.
5. Campus events.
Rallies, charity events, sport games, clubs — there isn’t a dull moment on campus grounds. These are all fun ways that you can socialize and possibly even pick up new interests.
6. Humility.
It’s a simple construct, really. Freshmen venture into college feeling like they know absolutely everything. By the time they graduate, they leave realizing that they don’t know as much as they had thought. This makes you both humble and hungry to learn more.
7. Less drama.
Petty arguments and rumors tend to die out as students begin to mature. It all comes down to who you choose to hang out with, of course. Which is another great thing about college- you have a chance to restart, to hang out with people who are less dramatic and more fun.
8. No six-hour blocks of classes
Unless you want that for some reason. As mentioned previously, you are in charge of your own schedule. You can spread out your classes throughout the day, allowing time to study or socialize in between.
9. Night life.
Whether it be driving to the city, hanging out with friends at someone’s dorm, or attending campus gatherings, there is always something to do at night. At high school, this is non-existent.
10. Long vacations.
Winter break at colleges generally last over a month. This is a time to rejuvenate between semesters, with the stress of classes and finals all behind you. Also, summer vacation starts in May rather than late June, and you often start the new year later than high school students as well!
