My high school experience wasn't terrible, but it also wasn't great. College has been like an alternate universe compared to high school. So far, my college experience has been much better than high school ever was. I've always been told that your time spent in college will be the best four (or six, or eight) years of your life, and so far, I agree. I've narrowed it down to my top eight reasons why, but I'm sure you have your own.
1. No Dress Code
No one has told me that my shorts were too short and/or that I needed to cover my shoulders up because guess what? Nobody cares! We're all here to get an education, so who really cares if your shorts are three and a half inches above your knees instead of three?
2. Shorter Class Periods and Days
By the time most high school students have been to three classes, my day is over. I'm not dealing with the same people or professors every day for eight hours straight. Also, it's much easier to be on time and awake for a 9:15 class than a 7:30 school day.
3. You Can Eat (Almost) Anywhere You Want
Gone are the days of sneaking snacks or gum into class. Now you can openly bring your Chicken Minis into your Biology lecture and trade them for scantron sheets.
4. It Is Socially Acceptable to Sleep Anywhere
Nobody is looking down on you for taking a nap between Netflix binges on a bench in the middle of the quad. We all understand.
5. People Aren't As Judgmental
This goes back to the lack of dress code and free sleeping. Nobody really cares what you do or that you've worn the same pair of jeans two days in a row. And if they notice, they aren't going to point it out.
6. Friends Aren't Required
It's perfectly acceptable now to be seen eating alone or sitting alone anywhere. Friends are great, but they don't always have the same schedule as you.
7. You Don't Have to Ask Permission to Go to the Restroom (or Anywhere for That Matter)
College is freedom. In a few short months we have gone from having to get permission to go to the restroom to not really even being held accountable for our attendance by anyone or anything other than our GPA and financial aid.
8. Diversity
If you come from a small school like I did, college is a little bit of a culture shock. My high school was made up of people who were all basically the same, and now college is full of all types of people.
College is a great place to widen your educational and social horizons. Enjoy the chance you've been given, and be thankful for it. Also be thankful that you no longer have to deal with high school drama.
