I figured I'd write this before final exams send me into the abyss that is countless hours of studying and trauma. I've learned a lot of things since coming to college in the fall last year not only about myself, but also about life in general. I think most of you will agree with what I'm about to say. For those of you who are about to go to college or are further behind in high school — take notes. Buckle up because I never thought I'd say some of these things ever.
1. I hate mornings
I am a morning person. Without a doubt — my family can tell you this — I love waking up to beautiful sunrises and enjoying that nice morning breeze. But when you're in college, it feels a bit different. Mornings are the bane of 95 percent of every college student. For the first month and a half when you begin college, you wake up early, get dressed, eat breakfast and go to class like you did in high school. That is until your first midterm and big assignments start coming up. You have a lot of time to prepare for them, but do you? No, you don't. And if you think you will, trust me, you won't. Why? Because you have free time, no parents and no sense of obligation to do anything at the current moment. You say things like "I'll do it later." And then you realize it's one to two days before the deadline and then you have an aneurysm. You start pulling all-nighters and once you start, it seldom ever stops.
2. I miss my parents
Yes, ladies and gents. I said it. I miss my parents. Why? Because when you're on your own. You're literally on you're own. You have to figure out how to get around, what to eat, how to manage your money, make appointments, travel long distances, etc. It doesn't sound like a big deal at first, but when you're from a tiny little island, trust me, it get's tiring.
3. I HATE SNOW!
This is just because I'm from a tropical island. Snow sucks. It just does. It's pretty to look at, but not so fun to be in. A thin, warm-blooded mammal like me has less survival chances in cold climates. Being only a little way from Canada, you can imagine how terrifying this is for me. If you're going up north, be prepared.
4. College textbooks...
Every college student can agree with this one. My textbooks cost about as much money as a round-trip plane ticket from Rochester to St. Thomas, which is about $600. I'm not even a natural science major. Natural science books (Calculus, Chem, Bio, Physics) cost hundreds of dollars per book. Yeah, hundreds. You need a savings account just for your books
5. I got a girlfriend (holy shit)
This is for those people who went to school with me in high school. I know it's the most shocking thing that's probably happened to me for the entire school year. How on earth I was fortunate enough to achieve this, I don't know. I'm just going to say God smiled on me. She's really awesome, though. I wouldn't trade her for anyone.
6. Majors
You will probably change your major several times before you actually declare. I know you think you are dead set on a career path in high school, but it's very likely for people to change their minds. I thought I was going to be a physics major, and now I'm a political science major and possible legal studies minor. Be open to change.
7. If you think high school is bad, good luck in college
Seriously, high school is nothing compared to college. In all honesty, I would do high school all over again rather than go through college. No offense to those of you who are currently complaining about the difficulty of life while still under the roof of your parents, but grow up. Life gets tough real quick. For those of you that think that you want to be adults before your time, you don't.
There's so much to say about the difference between college and pre-college life. I'm not gonna bore you to death with all of the gritty details, but I want you to be aware of something. College is a taste of real life. Even college itself is just a bubble. It's just a bigger bubble. But it's a more realistic view of how life is on your own. I'd be happy to talk to anyone in person about college life so far. I hope you take these words to heart.
