In my economics class we just learned about tradeoffs and opportunity costs. For those of you who might not know, those are the basic economic theories of what you could have, or be doing, instead of having/doing something. It's like a sacrifice.

For example, The opportunity cost of buying a coffee before class might be that you don't have enough cash to tip the pizza guy later that night. While my professor jotted down a list of other cause/effect situations, most involving money, I thought of a few sacrifices, or tradeoffs, I have made while continuing my education.

Time.

This may be the most obvious one... But if you really dive into it, college students spend a lot of time in class. It's crazy how often I get caught not being able to have a social life because I'm either A) in class or B) studying for my classes. I have to justify it by saying "I'm here to get a degree."

A job.

This goes along with time. Kind of kills the ole bank account when you don't have that summer almost-full-time job that kept you afloat, that you thought would get you through a semester. NOPE. I know a lot of people who have part time jobs while studying, but nothing that can pay for everything.

Sanity.

Literally defined as "the ability to think and function in a rational manner." 3 am breakdowns while cram studying for a test DO happen to people, it's not a myth. They weren't kidding when they said you can't balance a social life, academics, and sleep. And I figured out the hard way that it's hard to function without sleep.

Family.

It's sad how you can grow apart from your old friends and family quickly if you don't talk to them often. I love the times when I can pick up the phone and call or text an old high school friend and pick up right where we left off. But for the most part, that doesn't really happen. I also miss my family and not being able to see them as often, even though I'm a very independent person. My dogs are included in this... It's sad not coming home every day to my favorite fur balls.

Money. Money. More Money.

Tuition. Housing. Bills. Dues. Food. Maybe (hopefully) extra for fun. I think they need to stress the importance of saving money in high school to pay for college and real life. This sacrifice pretty much speaks for itself. They don't say "broke college kid" for nothing, right?

Your Comfort Zone.

As soon as I started classes last fall I knew I was going to be tested academically and mentally. I was pushed to my limits to try new things, and step outside of my normalities, which has helped me grow as an individual. It might sound painful, but it's what will help you succeed in the long run.

This article may make college life seem a lot worse than it actually is, or maybe we're all just used to it. I guess it isn't as glorified as Hollywood makes it seem, with all these sacrifices and opportunity costs. But if I had an opinion, these years are definitely the best years of our lives.