Anyone that has undergone the transition from high school to college can tell you that it's a sort of rebirth. High school provides rigid structure, where students have to be up and at 'em before the sun is, and there isn't really a choice in the kinds of classes that can be taken. College, on the other hand, delivers the freedom to choose classes and class times and that is something to celebrate. Using movies for comparison, high school is the live-action version of Mulan (with no songs and Li Shang being replaced with a new character) and college is the original Disney version. There are a lot of differences between college and high school, but these are some of my favorites.
1. Getting to choose when my classes are
Sleep is a beautiful thing, especially when I get to wake up after 8 every morning; considering I had to get up at 6 AM for four years of high school. I'm living my sixteen year-old self's dream. And not only do I get to decide the times in the day, but also the days of the week. I have never in my life had so much control over a schedule and it makes me feel like a real adult. I know realistically this isn't an accurate representation of the workforce, but a girl can appreciate a good four years of it.
2. Having the freedom to go where I want when I want
As much as I love my parents, I don't love being told what to do; that's why college is the perfect solution. I still get to go home, eat their food, and sleep in their house, but I also get to live apart from them for the majority of the year. To quote my idol, Hannah Montana, "It's the best of both worlds." Even if it's just being able to go on a Taco Bell run at 1 AM with no questions asked, I enjoy it immensely. On a more serious note, it allows for personal growth that only comes from having to deal with problems on my own.
3. I've made some of the best friends I could ask for
This year, I've forged the kinds of friendship that only come from spending ten or more hours a day surrounded by the same people. Since we all live in the same dorm building, it's much less effort to walk down a hallway when I'm bored rather than having to make plans and then get in a car and drive somewhere to meet someone (like I had to in high school). College friendships are stronger than gorilla glue, and that's a fact.
4. Being able to walk pretty much everywhere
Everything is so close to campus that whenever I need something, I can just walk.
5. There's so much free stuff
Sometimes, going to events at UNCG makes me feel like I'm on Oprah because there are so many giveaways. Sure, most of the time it's just a t-shirt or water bottle, but the most I ever got for free in high school was a headache. Now, if only they started giving away free tuition...
