Before coming to college, I was so nervous that I planned everything out. I knew where I wanted to live, what restaurants I wanted to go to, and who I wanted to room with. What I did not expect was how different it was when I finally arrived.
Because hindsight is 20/20, I realize now that planning everything causes unnecessary anxiety. Nothing will play out as expected, and that's the fun of it!
Expectation: You will meet your soul mate.
I came to college thinking that I would lock eyes with some beautiful man across my hall on move in day and the rest would be history. This actually happened. Love was in the air, the feelings were strong. However, they were very one sided. On my part.
Yes, this can happen. There are people who met their husbands or wives during their first year of college. Don't buy into this. I apologize in advance for my harsh honesty, but this will not happen to you. These are some lucky, beautiful SOBs who are way above the rest of us. If you do happen to be one of the lucky few, you can buy me lunch because I need it more than you do.
Reality.
You get with someone once and spend your next four years consciously avoiding them. In reality, you will meet a lot of guys who are only looking for one thing: everlasting love. Kidding.
You will actually be in a relationship with your personal Dominos delivery man.
Expectation: You will maintain a 4.0 because high school prepared you oh so well.
I came into college thinking that it would be a breeze. I thought I would never study and never, ever visit the library. This was my reality first semester and I will be the first to tell you, it ended horribly. I learned I really can't hang with those kids who go out all the time and maintain a socially acceptable GPA. Ugh, I really hate those kids.
Reality.
You have a ton of work and practically live in the library. Obviously, it depends on the school and your class load, but the library is the place to be. I have friends who basically sleep in the stacks.
There happens to be a shower and since next year I am essentially homeless (shout out to residential life), I can assure you I will keep shampoo there.
Expectation: You will get involved in campus activities.
On my college application, I said I planned on participating in an absurd amount of clubs. I had the best of intentions. I really thought I would join everything offered, but nothing really panned out.
Reality.
You are a member of a few Facebook groups, but you never attend the meetings. Getting involved on campus happens to be ridiculously hard. A friend of mine (cough, cough) applied to more than five clubs and did not get into a single one.
How is this possible? I don't even know. Hard not to take that one personally. (Disclaimer: this was not actually me, but it would be funny and classic if it were!)
The only thing that is an expectation and a reality is the "freshman 15." That truly does happen. And when it does, it hits you hard. Trust me. If it didn't happen, I'm sorry, but you clearly didn't do your freshman year right.
