I hope that you didn’t expect this to be some kind of sweet, nostalgic article because it is completely opposite. This isn’t an article about the ways that college has changed me for the better; it’s about the cold, hard facts of life that (unfortunately for me) I didn’t even realize until I went to a university for four years. If you’re younger than 22, I hope you learn these tough lessons before I did.
5. It’s a man’s world.
It wasn’t until I came to IU that I noticed that some men act like animals- they whistle, they stare, and they yell inappropriate comments. Some even assault, rape, and murder. I had heard of discrimination towards women before I came to college, but it was something that I almost didn’t (couldn’t) believe in. That has since changed in the past four years. I am truly terrified to be a woman in America.
4. Everyone has more money than me.
I grew up in a very modest town. I thought that living within your means and trying your best to not be materialistic was what everyone did. That is not the case for many people. One time I saw a girl crying at a party because she got alcohol on her $100 t-shirt. Unless I find a job in LA or New York City, never again will I be surrounded by so much money (quite literally, upper class people). This has shed the light on many issues surrounding class privilege for me.
3. Racism very much exists.
During my college years, I have seen many black and Muslim individuals attacked because of who they are and/or what they believe in (verbally, physically, etc.) I have also seen the police do nothing about it. It took getting out of my majority-white town to realize that racism is arguably the largest societal threat in America at this moment. Never before have I seen so many stigmatized just for being born.
2. I wear my privilege on my sleeve.
I am white. I am heterosexual. I do not have any disabilities. I have privilege that is denied to so many. My privilege is also obvious… I say things that reflect it, I wear things that reflect it, I do things that reflect it. Becoming aware of my privilege is a great thing, but constantly trying to place myself into another’s shoes is exhausting. I forget sometimes. I completely dismiss it sometimes. But I am trying to be better.
1. I can’t fix the world.
Though I will never, ever stop trying, I can’t fix all the problems that I see. So many world issues have been brought to light for me during my time spent in college that is often overwhelming. I have a heavy heart that stems from all the unfairness in the world and my inability to change it for the better. But despite knowing this, I still wake up every day with the notion that I am going to try anyways. Because even if I can’t change it all, maybe I can change some. And that some will make the world of a difference for someone.
