Calling all high schoolers! Listen up, you're gonna need to read this in order to differentiate what you have been told versus what you've seen when you're at a college/university. If you find yourself sweating in the middle of the night from being nervous, then this will most likely help. Going to college/university isn't as difficult as it is portrayed, as long as you choose classes that meet your needs/fits the schedule to your desires. Students who complain about college most likely either chose classes not based on their capability/needs or made a schedule that totally doesn't coincide to meet their daily amount of sleep. Don't be like them! However, continue reading this so that you can further banish any stereotypes of college!
Expectation: The professor is strict, has dandruff on his shoulders, slams the door in your face at the start of class, gives detention for sneezing, talks in monotone, bangs things with a meter stick to wake up students, gives 'F's to papers that miss one comma, and is almost never impressed.
Reality: Professors are just about as tired as you are and they really could care less if you're late or not (at least through the ones I've had in the past. They didn't bother to ask why students were tardy to class.) And the times you would get an 'F' on a paper is by cheating, or just never turning one in. Go ahead, eat in class. What are they gonna do? Professors are about as hungry as you are! The best part, though?
Especially when it's 30+ minutes before class is actually supposed to be finished.
Expectation: Three essays every week, due on Sunday, 11:59:59 PM. Read ten chapters in one night. 50 Calculus problems, with explanations as to how the answer was approached.
Reality: First off, you don't have the same classes every single day, so that's bit of a stress reducer. Second, that amount of homework is unrealistic, unless if you have Chemistry, Physics, and Math, all in one semester. Third, some professors tolerate late days, but keep in mind that they have a limit, e.g., no later than three days, tops. So, in that case, chill.
Expectation: Ramen. All day, everyday. Chips in bulk? Even better.
Reality: Stop it. Eating noodles everyday is not realistic, and should not be attempted at in real life. You could get a stomach ache at some point and miss out classes. Sure, the latter sounds fun, but not when you see the amount of makeup work you have to complete before a certain deadline. Be smart, keep a budget, and you can eat plenty, including Ramen.
Expectation: Caffeine. Doesn't matter what time of day.
Reality: Pretty much the same as expectations. There are even days where you want this to happen:
All jokes aside, college shouldn't frighten you up to the point where sleeping at night is impossible. You'll be fine. Just don't do anything stupid, such making it obvious that you cheated on an assignment. (If you plan to cheat, do it right!) Keep an agenda, write out all of your homework/assignments in there, color-code the subjects, plan out study days, use methods to study (for instance, the 50-10 rule; study for 50 minutes, take a break for 10 minutes), And whatever you do, please do not overfeed yourself with Ramen and caffeinated coffee/tea.
Good luck!
