Upon being home from college, it has dawned on me that college students everywhere are asked the same questions during every major holiday recess. These breaks are respites from school in which I look forward to doing absolutely nothing but sleeping, binge-watching Netflix, hanging out with my high school friends, and going on runs with my dog.
The reality of being home for us college students is that there are many aunts, uncles, grandparents, and friends that want the answer to certain questions, which are inevitably harpooned onto us. The majority of us have just finished Midterms or Finals Week and do not want to hear anything about the brutal repercussions these weeks have brought upon us.
Here are a few things the sleep-deprived college students everywhere will thank you for not asking them:
1. How’s school going?
This question is parallel to the common “how are you” that everyone asks each other on a daily basis. It’s not like you’re going to get some deep, collegiate response with a question this vague. School is fun, but it’s hard work, which is something almost everybody already knows.
Ask me how many all-nighters I’ve pulled, or what is different from this semester from the last, or even what was the craziest thing you have done this year so far, which would make this conversation a lot less painful for the both of us.
2. How are your classes?
They suck. They’re hard, take up a ridiculous amount of time, and the thought of jumping off a bridge sounds better than writing that twenty-page paper for an introductory core class.
3. Are you graduating in four years?
Yes, that’s the plan, but you never know when you’ll need to take an extra semester to fit all of those pre-requisites for medical, dental, physical therapy, pharmacy, and law school. I will finish when I’m ready.
4. How often do you go to parties?
No, I don’t go out; I just lock myself in the library all day and all night. Of course there are weekends I go out every night, but there are other times there are not.
Everyone’s schedules are different and vary week by week. Thirsty Thursday’s and Sunday Funday’s do make their appearances, but sometimes a movie night with your boyfriend sounds so much better.
5. Oh, you’re in a sorority? How are the parties?
This question honestly bothers most Greek Members, including myself, so much. First off, this isn’t the movie Animal House. Secondly, the majority of sororities and fraternities are actually so much more than just the assumed parties.
Instead, next time ask about our philanthropies, service, or even sisterhood/brotherhood bonding events, and please stop assuming we are all insane binge drinkers.
6. Are you dating anyone?
If the answer is yes, that’s great! You can go on and on, gushing about your significant other and all of the cute things you have done together. But if the answer is no, then you’ll just get a sassy, annoyed response from a majority of college students.
7. What’s your major and what does it entail?
If you’re one of the lucky ones that have your life all figured out, then this question is no big deal to answer. But for the “misguided” ones, also known as those who are still students labeled under the “undecided major” category, this inquiry may cause a slight breakout in sweat and uncomfortable laughter to occur.
8.How’s applying to _____ school? Or have you gotten a job offer yet?
With job searching, graduate school applications, and major test scores coming in, I’m already teetering on the edge of a full-blown anxiety attack about the future, along with most adults my age. If I wanted to bring this dreaded process up, I would have already.
