Greetings, all you lovely students out there. If you're new to college or even an old pro like me, this article is for you. With most school semesters underway, I felt it would be helpful to explain the ins and outs of college.
We all know that "Friends" has some surprising applicable life lessons in addition to the charming humor we all love, so sit back, relax, and enjoy college life as explained by "Friends." Maybe even grab a cup of coffee at Central Perk while you're at it.
Welcome to the real world -- It stinks
Welcome to real life. It does suck, but it's not all bad. Just so you know, the easiest part of your life is probably behind you, Buttercup. Prepare yourself now.
You'll probably have no clue what you're doing, and that's OK.
College can be a lot to take in. You're in a new environment, you're constantly meeting new people, your perceptions on the world are changing, not to mention you're taking on harder classes, you'll probably get lost a few times at first, you might wonder if it's all worth it, but in the end you'll probably be glad for the change.
Meal plan food is not the best.
You can't have it all, can you? This will be quickly taught to you in the collegiate world, probably in the form of over-priced and unsatisfying products, specifically meal plan food. It's usually gross, but hey, it's food. As a broke student, be grateful for it. If nothing else, at least it gives you another incentive to finish faster and get out of there.
Noisy neighbors are going to happen.
You might get the sense that you're living in the vicinity of a herd of elephants, or at the very least, obnoxious and loud frat boys. Well, that's just a part of the "college experience." You're welcome. Deal with it as best you can and maybe invest in some earplugs.
You'll probably meet some attractive people.
New school, new eye candy. There's typically much more diversity in college than high school, especially if you come from a small town like me. This can come in the form of classes, environments, or people. There's a whole new sea of people out there, and chances are you're bound to meet some attractive ones. Just remember one thing: you are there to learn, not flirt.Ahem, I'm talking to you. Yes, you. Just don't go overboard, mkay?
You'll probably get your heart broken.
Here's the hard truth: most college kids are jerks. With guys, you will face immaturity and perversion, and with girls there will probably be pettiness or jealousy. Now, this is not a one-size-fits-all description, but you know how it works. You just got out of high school, didn't you? Sadly, the relationship dynamic is still pretty much the same, except that now you may be looking for a more serious commitment, which will likely make the heartbreak all that worse. Just remember to prepare yourself here.
You'll be taking on a lot.
Schoolwork alone can be overwhelming. As an added bonus, college professors usually don't give you a break on work during school breaks. You may also have a job, personal responsibilities, and on top of it all you attempt to keep your social life flourishing. You'll get the hang of it eventually, so chin up, kid. But seriously, homework on a break??
If you're lucky, you'll find your forever friends.
OK, let's be real; college life is not all bad. More than likely, you'll have tons of good memories and experiences. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll live, and you'll learn. If you're lucky, you may even find your friend group for life. Hold on to them. They're gonna come in handy a lot.
And so, to paraphrase the immortal words of our favorite theme song, "So no one told you life was gonna be this way...but when it hasn't been your day, your week, your month or even your year, I'll be there for you."
