Every person going to college has dreamed of everything -- such as the dorms, the freedom, the classes, and the guys -- as they have seen it in movies and television shows. After experiencing a semester at college, you realize that movies and TV did not prepare you at all. Here are what the movies and TV shows portray college as and the reality of it all.
DORMS
Movies and TV: It seems to be that every single dorm in a show or film is gigantic. Every girl dreams of a dorm like Elena and Caroline's in the popular television show The Vampire Diaries, complete with two queen size beds, a private bathroom, a fireplace, and a rocking chair. What about the huge dorm/loft that Zack Morris shares with two other people in Saved by the Bell: The College Years? Almost every single dorm in movies and TV is huge.
Reality: In reality, most dorms are tiny. Only a few have a private bathroom, which you still have to share with a roommate. If the dorm does not provide private bathrooms, then you must share communal style showers with the entire floor. Every room is small and even the rooms deemed "double-deluxe" are still quite small. In other words, you and your roommate will most likely grow sick of each other being in a confined space all the time.
CLASSES
Movies and TV: Yes, when attending college having fun comes to follow, but in television shows such as ABC Family's Greek, all any of the characters seem to be doing is having fun or going on missions with friends. Many of the characters are rarely seen attending classes yet they are still doing well academically.
Reality: At college, if you do not attend most of your classes you will fail. Having fun does come with attending college, but school comes first.
FREEDOM
Movies and TV: In movies like Accepted, the parents are extremely gullible and have almost no clue what their children are doing. The kids in the movie don't even attend college and made a school of their own to get the parents off their backs. The parents almost believe everything their children tell them.
Reality: Your parents will call you. You are away from home for long periods of time and your family will miss you and want to know what's going on in your life. Remember, they are your parents so they will know if you are lying about attending school and create your own made-up college.
RELATIONSHIPS
Movies and TV: It seems that characters in movies and TV are constantly in a relationship. Once one relationship ends, another guy comes along to sweep the female character off her feet. Another thing is that said male character always seems to resemble a Hollister model who is all in for a hot and heavy romance. They always seem to know just the thing to make her swoon.
Reality: Well, certainly not every guy resembles a Hollister model. In the real world, you have to be with who fits you. College guys, and just any guys in general, usually say the wrong thing when they think it is right. Many guys in college don't want a relationship, anyway, but relationships in college will not be like any from Hollywood.
So, future college students, or any new college students -- remember to not let movies and TV give you the wrong idea about college. Yes, college is fun, but films and TV shows give the wrong perception of the reality of college.
