Before coming to college, I had a lot of stereotypes about college life planted in my head from tv, movies, books, etc. This will be my third year of school and I have since debunked all of the myths I thought were true. As a freshman, these are things I thought were 100% true about college, and as a third year, I am proud to discredit them.
Myth: 8 a.m. classes are a good idea.
As someone who spent four years starting high school at 7 a.m., 8 a.m. seemed like it would be a breeze. Boy was I wrong. In college, your lifestyle completely changes. Long days of classes become long nights of studying, and before you know it, the clock strikes 2. Chances are high that if you only get five or so hours of sleep, you will not function as a human being, and skipping your 8 a.m. will always sound like a good idea. Skipping your 8 a.m. (or any class) is not just an easy thing that you can make up in your spare time. This isn't high school anymore, so early classes plus your new lifestyle is not a healthy equation.
Myth: The only way to get involved on campus is through Greek life.
Greek life is a ton of fun and is definitely one of the leading ways to get involved on campus. However, it is not for everyone. There are hundreds of clubs and organizations on campus that would love to have you! Try out things like student government, community service organizations, or even a sports team. I've also noticed that there is a club for almost all majors. If you are majoring in film, join the film society. If you are majoring in business, try the International Business Society. The possibilities to get involved on campus are endless, and you won't regret experimenting with many different organizations.
Myth: Dorm life is the absolute worst.
When I say I lived in a literal brick dog kennel, take my word for it. Chances are that if you are attending an older or established school, the dorms are going to be a little older and not exactly what I would call five-star living conditions. With that being said, all of the people on your floor or in your suite are dealing with the same things you are, and it gives you the possibility of bonding over it. Once you've all agreed that the dorms stink, you can move on to other conversations and soon enough you will find yourself with some of the best friends you've ever had. Living in the dorms is a golden opportunity to make life-long friendships despite the not-so-great living conditions.
Myth: The Freshman 15 is real.
There are many unhealthy eating options on campus. It's not that the eateries are unhealthy but what we eat and how we eat makes them unhealthy. If this is your freshman year, chances are that this is the first time you're ever living alone, making your own decisions-- including meal choices. If you work hard on making healthy choices and getting a decent amount of exercise, the freshman 15 should be running away from you. Word of advice: snacking will always get you!
Myth: College schoolwork will come easy after high school.
College is the next level up in your schooling, so if you think that it doesn't get any more difficult, you're in for a shock. Many professors like to say that one hour of in- class work should require three hours of outside class work. This includes studying, homework, and projects. In my opinion, quite a few classes require more than three hours outside of them to achieve your desired grade. College work consists mostly of studying, so make sure you sharpen your study skills after high school graduation. A's will not just fly your way anymore, you have to work for them.
These are only a few of the many things I personally thought about college life before I attended school. I can safely say that after my first semester, I was well adjusted, and I'm sure you will be too! Of course, there are hundreds of fears and questions running through your head before move-in day, and my number one advice to you is to not be afraid to ask somebody. If you have any further questions about college, feel free to ask somebody you know or comment down below!
