As a college freshman, there were several things that surprised me coming into college. Now that I'm almost a sophomore, I wish that I would have known a little bit more about the college adjustment.
1. College is not like high school.
Prior to moving into college, people told me that it is going to be extremely different from high school. Do you remember the government forcing you to get out of bed every morning to walk those disgusting halls that have a strict dress code, restricted words, and distrusting adults' eyes watching you to make sure you do not skip any of your classes? I initially thought that college would be like high school because sleep deprived college students have a lot of homework like I did in high school. However, for once in your life, no adults are watching you; it is only you and whatever friends you make from here on out. Believe it or not, you may actually miss your people at home and wonder what they are doing. Not to mention, there is a huge adjustment. Do not underestimate this adjustment. It will be difficult.
2. Dining hall food is not that great.
Remember those campus visits? The food was pretty great, was it not? Let us face the fact that you will quickly learn dining hall food is worse once you become a student. You are paying a huge amount of money over all four years partly for decent food on visit days.
3. Any water is your friend.
Make sure you stay hydrated. Water is crucial to your well being, and it will help rid your body of the acne that you still have from when you were in middle school and before. On the other hand, you may be drowning in your tears, or you may take showers that can sometimes exceed an hour long. College is a stressful time in your life. You will need those kinds of water to help you relax.
4. Homesickness is real.
The summer before I left for college, I was saying that I was not going to be homesick. I was ready to leave home; additionally, I was only going to be thirty minutes away from my house. I was sad once I realized I was making college to be something it is not. Most days, I just wanted to cry and live under my blankets.
5. You are going to be exhausted.
Among taking four busy classes, hanging out with friends, and procrastinating with Netflix, you will wonder how you are still alive.
6. You will have times that you will fall because you are trying to reach for a leaf.
Reach for the leaf even if you end up falling into any body of water. On the bright side, your family that you form at school will pick you up.
7. You will cry to see your animals.
Your heart will painfully rip apart as you watch them scream your name as they see you drive off to college. You can always call them on the phone, but it just is not the same.
8. You are going to have your own version of the T.V. show, "Friends."
By that, I mean that they will always be there for you. It may take some time to get a solid group of people together, but it will happen. This squad of yours will see each other at everybody's best and worst.
9. You will have some late night study and homework sessions.
You may think you are used to not getting enough sleep from high school, but you are wrong. There will be times where you start to fall asleep while in the midst of work. I still have yet to figure out why sleep deprivation is ten times worse in college.
10. Speaking of studying, do not forget to eat!
It is surprisingly easy to forget to eat, especially at the beginning of college. You are on your own now. Nobody can verbally call you down for dinner. Additionally, there will be late dinners and dinner dates with textbooks every once in a while as well as 2 A.M. mac and cheese cravings.
11. Welcome to adulthood.
College is going to be "ruff" and tough. At times, you will be knocked down by a soccer ball hitting your face. The important thing to remember is that you will be okay, and your friends will pick you up when you need them. You are at the age where you need friends and socialization. Try your best in everything you do. If you decide you do not like it, there is always the possibility of transferring or going back to school when you are older. There is nothing wrong with either option. Whatever you do in college, at least you can officially say, "I gave it the old college try."
An incoming sophomore
