I've only been in college for about 2 weeks and I have already learned something, the transition from high school to college was different and a lot more challenging than I expected. When it comes to moving on to the next step of one's life, we all have expectations and ideas of what it's going to be like, whether we admit it or not. Most of the time, we end up being completely wrong and have to adjust to our new environment very quickly, but the point that is being addressed is that reality is always different from our expectations. I have been seeing a lot of high school students complaining on various social medias about how hard high school is and that they can not wait to get to college because they think it's easier, but these students need to understand why their expectations and ideas are far from the truth and should expect different things.
1. You don't actually have more time.
A big misconception is that a lot of high school students have about college is that they will have more time. Of course, the classroom time is much shorter most days in college making it nicer than high school, but your are completely responsible for yourself and don't have your parents to rely anything on them. With all the homework, clubs, athletics, social events, meal time, laundry, shopping, personal needs, you don't have a lot of time.
2. The workload is manageable but intense.
Understand that in college, we do more a lot more work in one semester, then high school students do in an entire year. If you are thinking you understand the workload because you took AP classes in high school, you are wrong. I took AP classes in high school and trust me when I say, they do not simulate an actual college class. Also, procrastination WILL NOT work in college.
3. Having to use public restrooms 24/7 sucks.
Most likely in your first year of college, your dorms have public restrooms. As you can imagine, there is no privacy. Although you do eventually figure out a schedule where you're bound to get some privacy and you start getting used to it, you should always treasure your private bathroom at home.
4. You are completely responsible for your own learning.
Unlike high school, you can't blame a lazy teacher for your poor grades. It's 100% the student's responsibility to learn the material for the class. Of course, there're many great professors within the college, but most likely you will get at least one that does not care about you at all.
5. Textbooks are outrageously expensive.
A single book can cost up to $300, not an exaggeration. There are many sites and other places you can buy your textbooks cheaper, but no matter how cheap you get your textbooks, that's still money being kissed goodbye.
