College is one of a kind. In high school, college is almost like a fictional wonderland. Kind of like the North Pole; you know it’s there, but you've never actually seen it. You've heard so many stories about college from older friends and family, but you haven’t actually been able to experience it for yourself. They say you find yourself there (whatever that means), they say you find your life-long friends there, they tell you that you will fail if you don’t go to class (this one I learned the hard way), they remind you to make good choices, and they even tell you that college will be the best years of your life. But that’s so vague. I mean, come on. There has to be something they aren't telling you. And guess what. You're right. There is so much they aren't telling you. So, that’s what I’m here for. To tell you what they have left out. Consider this the writing in-between the lines.
1.) You will learn more outside the classroom than inside the classroom.
By saying classroom twice, you may think this has something to do with class. But SIKE, it has nothing to do with class. Don’t get me wrong, you are paying big bucks to get an education taught by brilliant professors (who do an excellent job, I might add), but they don’t teach you EVERYTHING you learn at school. Within the first semester you will learn more than you ever thought possible: the difference between business casual and business professional, the words “come as you are” are a gift sent from Heaven, how to make jell-o shots (if you didn’t know already. I mean, I had no idea), how many nights in a row you can go out before you have a major crash, and even how long you can go without buying your own toilet paper. (PS, sorry roomie. I may have stolen a roll or two.)
2.) Sleep deprivation is so real.
Sleeping in college is almost as rare as clean laundry. You just don’t have it. In college, there are three things: school, sleep and a social life. Sorry, but you can only have two. I know, you may think this sounds crazy, but that’s just how the cookie crumbles (thanks, Bruce Almighty). Now, no matter what anyone says, school is the most important out of those three things (and no I’m not just saying this to make my parents happy…or am I?). So, since school has to be one of those two things, it’s up to you to pick the second one. And we all know which one you're going to pick. Hey, it’s okay, you're not fooling anybody. You can sleep when you're dead, right?
3.) Class is hard.
In high school, school just sort of happened. You went to school, your teacher gave you notes, they passed out study guides and they even gave you time in class to work on projects and papers. If you made a bad grade on a quiz or test, no worries. Your other twenty-thousand grades would bring that sucker up in no time. Now, I honestly hate to be that person, but that’s not how college works. The teachers are hard, the notes are harder, and most importantly, the tests are killer. One bad test grade and you're just about done for. Although, if you are lucky, you may get a teacher who drops your lowest test grade. That doesn't always happen, though. So cherish that teacher forever. Maybe bake him/her cookies. Something. Anyway, moral of the story is STUDY STUDY STUDY. The more you study and understand what’s going on, the easier things will be. Grasp that concept early on and you'll be golden.
4.) You’ll give time to boys who don't deserve it.
College is supposed to be the best years of your life (or at least that’s what they said). Four years go by faster than you think. My freshman year is already half way through and I think I’ve only blinked maybe twice. So since these years go by so fast, why waste them? Yes, you’ll find a boy you really like. Yes, you may go on a date or two. Yes, you may think it was meant to be when you found out that both of you suck at swing dancing but you swing dance anyway. Yes, you may think he is honestly something really special. But the day he stops replying to your texts and starts ignoring you in public is the day you may need to consider moving on. Don’t waste your time worrying about him. If he doesn't appreciate the time you have given him, he doesn't deserve it. Give yourself a day (maximum) to sulk over losing him, and then move right along to the next best thing. It’s college for crying out loud! The hot boys are endless. Why settle, you feel?
5.) There is no way to avoid getting homesick.
The first few weeks of college are some of the best, especially for freshmen. You get to move into your own place, go through rush and join an amazing sorority, experience your first syllabus week (my personal favorite), go to a football game with an awkward game-day-date (no worries y’all, he’s actually not that awkward anymore and we've become good friends), and attend your first swap or social. All of these things usually keep you so busy that you hardly have time to think. But as soon as you get that first Sunday to sleep in and rest, you will start thinking about your parents, your dogs, anything that you miss back home. In no time, the homesick feeling will arrive, guaranteed. It won’t be easy at first, but it will get better. I pinky swear by it! To help, try calling your mom every once in a while. Maybe even tell her you miss her. Mom’s love that kind of stuff. Also, whenever you get the chance, FaceTime your dogs (this is completely normal, I promise). If you love your dogs as much as I love mine, seeing their ears perk up when you say their name is the best cure for the homesick blues. Trust me on this one.
