14 Things I Realized in My First Year of College That I Will Think About for the Rest of My College Career

Let's face it, we have all heard the phrase, "college is easier than high school". In reality though, is it really easier than high school? In college you have to pick your own classes, buy all of your own food and toiletries, buy all of your own books, make all of your own doctor appointments, drive yourself everywhere, and get a job to pay for your own stuff. This sucks. It all sucks so bad. I liked when my mom would make my own lunch and write little notes in it, made my own appointments (I hate talking on the phone). I have a job to pay for all of my stuff because lets face it, I am an extremely expensive person and need money to survive, I have to spend almost $1000 on college textbooks that do not get used most of the time just because the professor wants you to spend money on the textbook that he co-wrote because it is "necessary."

1. College actually sucks

I want to be a small child again that did not have any responsibilities.

2. I am spending so much money on a shitty education

Professors teach what they want, so what they teach could be totally different from what the course is called. I am currently in a philosophy class right now and we are learning how to interpret LSAT questions. NO CORRELATION WHATSOEVER.

3. You teach yourself

Some professors will give you homework and expect you to use google to find the answer yourself, they do not give you any hints or help. That is 'your' job, since apparently YOU are the professor and YOU went through college already. Also, the library is your best friend.

4. Notes

I hope you're good at reading slides and writing fast because professors don't post their PowerPoint and they don't care if you don't get all of the information. Also, you're not allowed to record them.

5. Extra credit is RARE

If a professor gives extra credit, you BETTER do it, it will probably be the one and only time that will happen.

6. The parties aren't that great

They are busted by 11 p.m. and it usually ends in you dragging your friends through the back of some random guy's house through the bushes so you won't get stopped by the cops.

7. Greek life can be good or bad

It can be considered bad by the whole scheme of it all if it's not run well, but good because you find your home for the next 4 years or however long.

8. Freshman 15 (or 30) is real

It is inevitable that you are going to gain weight, college is a different type of stress and it can make your whole body shut down, even if you live at home or can cook your own meals. The gym is your friend.

9. College is a different type of stress

There was high school stress, and you thought that was bad, but college is totally different. Your mind is constantly running, you can't sleep because you are afraid of missing an assignment that may not even be real. You don't sleep, even if you want to, your body is constantly running.

10. Building your class schedule is a difficult and stressful process

You could fail a class and it will mess up your entire schedule for next semester, especially if you need the class. You vote by how many credits you have and are given certain days. This means you are voting with hundreds of other people, who want the same exact classes as you - you probably won't get into them.

11. Textbooks

Why do I need to spend close to $1000 on textbooks that I probably will not use? Some professors will tell you straight up that a book is not needed, but others will tell you that you need it but you never use it. They are ridiculously expensive and unnecessary.

12. You realize a lot

You realize that you are picking a career to do for the rest of your life and since you are young and happy now, you don't know if you are going to be happy doing what you're doing for the rest of your life. Everything you do now, reflects on the rest of your life.

13. It is ridiculously expensive

I want to know why I will have to spend the rest of my life paying off college loans? I just want an education so I can get a good job when I am older and can provide for my future family, but I can't do that when I am paying $800 a month in student loan payments.

14. Getting involved is extremely important

Making friends in high school was easy, but it is a lot harder now, so it is such a good experience to join a group on your campus and actually talk to those people, you never know if you could find your best friend for the rest of your life.