With another school year starting, students are beginning to look at prospective colleges. Deciding on where to go to college is potentially one of the biggest decisions of your life. You're going to spend the next four years here (hopefully). While choosing a college is scary, the college horror stories you've been told by your high school teachers or parents are even scarier.

You've probably been hearing these terrifying tales for most of your high school career, and maybe even longer. Well, I'm here to tell you that these frightening stories are just that — stories! While these horror stories may have been true for your parents or teachers, college has changed a lot since they've attended. College isn't as scary as you've been made to believe! Here are 5 lies you've been told about college.

1. College professors don't care if you go to class.

Some professors don't give a hoot if you show up to class, but in the three years I've been in college about 80% of my classes have had some type of attendance or participation grade. So yes, most professors do care if you're in class!

2. Professors don't care if you pass or fail.

While this varies based on the professor, most professors that I've come across want to see their students succeed and are more than happy to help in any way they can! If you feel you're falling behind or you're not grasping the material, go to their office hours and tell them what's going on! Nine times out of ten, they'll do their best to help!

3. College professors are even stricter than high school teachers.

Of course college professors have rules in the classroom, but they aren't near as strict as the rules most of us had to follow in high school! No eating, no chewing gum, no drinks in class, the list of things that weren't allowed in high school classrooms goes on and on! However, your professors don't really care what you do in class as long as you don't disrupt anyone else, so eat all you want!

4. You're going to spend all your time studying.

A lot of your time will be spent studying or doing homework, but certainly not all of it. You'll definitely have free time as long as you manage your time wisely! Time management is the key to success in college!

5. College students wear pajamas to class.

College students definitely don't dress to the nines every day, but very few people wear their actual pajamas to class. Most students opt for comfy casual, but as far as full blown pj's, the only time you'll probably see that is during finals week!

See? College isn't so scary after all! So if you're choosing a future college or starting college for the first time, remember to keep an open mind and don't let what others tell you freak you out too much! College is all about what you make it.