3 Ways College Ruined Me
Start writing a post
Student Life

3 Ways College Ruined Me

College expects more of you than high school.

24
3 Ways College Ruined Me

Had this been an otherwise normal day in high school, things would be a lot different than they are now. A constant state of tired and busy has plagued my life since college. I was pretty busy while in high school, but that kind of busy was something completely different than the busy state I am now in. Let me elaborate.

1. I do everything now.

Yep, you read it. Everything! Instead of the happy-go-lucky high school me that had homework and maybe a few extracurricular activities to worry about, I now have all of those things (x3) and two jobs. Then I have socializing and finding a way to get food. Instead of mooching off of my parents for these essentials (food, money, etc.), I am now in charge of getting it myself. Also, when I went home after high school, I could lock myself in my room if I wanted. There was no expectation for me to hang out. That is not the case now. I made the mistake of being really social the first few years of school, so now everyone expects me to keep up appearances. It's not a bad thing, though. I like people, and I like being around my friends.

2. I had to find balance.

I was a perfectionist in high school. I mean, a student who freaked out if I got a low A. Anything below that was simply unacceptable. I went to school and I went back home only to do homework and study. I was a total nerd! I went into college with that same mindset. My very first gen ed class, ID 101, wrecked my 4.0. I finished with a B in that class due to a teacher who graded harshly. I was determined to bring my grade point average back up from that point on. This was exhausting, and I ran out of motivation during my second year. Four of my grades were Bs by midterms. I had let my grades slip too much for my liking; I just failed to see it until that point. Bottom line, I had to find a good mix between overworking myself to get perfect grades and slacking off, relaxing, and getting whatever grades I got. That balance can be hard to find.

3. I am so tired.

I got a pretty good amount of sleep in high school. Part of it was from my parents telling me to go to bed, and the other part was that I had enough hours in the day to get everything I needed done. That is not the case now. As the years in college have gone by, my ability to function with a few hours of sleep has gotten worse. I have gone from a high-functioning student to a wandering zombie who has been overworked. College has a bad habit of wearing down its students by asking so much of them. This ends up destroying the full learning potential of the student which causes this cycle to repeat over and over again.

I firmly believe that college has run me down, but I wouldn't trade the experience and the connections I have made in college for anything. No amount of sleep or resources could outweigh this experience.


Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

41018
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

25577
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

951067
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

133849
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments