When most people think of college, they think about living in dorms and going to parties. Truth is, college is much more than picking your outfit for the next frat party. When you graduate high school, you are not only leaving behind old friends and teachers, but you are leaving behind a simpler form of education, and unless you attended a private high school, you are also leaving behind a cheaper option.
I know that when I was a senior, I would get sick and tired of listening to people talk about how “college is so much different than high school.” I tried to ignore them but when college came around, I was hit in the face with a cold slap of reality. Not only is college different from high school, it is also more difficult. In comparison, high school classes require more assignments and fewer tests, while college classes have fewer assignments but more tests. Not only are there more tests, but they are more heavily weighted so your overall grade depends more on those test grades. Missing one day of college may mean that you will miss up to an entire chapter of information, which is a big risk to take because it could take a toll on your grade in a class that you are paying to take.
In addition, while we hear a lot of different things about college academics in today's society, people hardly ever speak of the anxiety and other things that come along with college. The first few weeks of college are hard. Adapting to the courses is one thing, but finding a balance between your new found freedom and responsibilities takes some time to get used to. Luckily, Syllabus Week can give students an idea of how much work they'll have to put in throughout the semester. Once you get your syllabi, start making a plan so that you aren’t living all work and no play or all play and no work. Slacking is not an option in college, but neither is studying all the time without enjoying yourself.
Living with roommates can also be hard to adjust to. Getting to know a new person can be especially difficult if you are shy or if you’re simply introverted. No matter what, there are some things you just can’t easily adjust to.
College success happens over time and it’s important to take your time in finding what works best for you. Go to football games, swim meets, or comedy acts with your friends. Make sure to hit the gym regularly and eat healthy so you don’t get sick as often. Call your parents and let them know how you are because truth is, they probably miss you more than you think. But most importantly, if there is one thing people don’t tell you about freshman year, it is that it goes by fast. One day becomes a week, which soon becomes a month, and you won’t even notice that it’s the end of the semester. Take advantage of every opportunity and remember that college is definitely what you make of it.
