When we go home for Thanksgiving to see our families, we are bombarded with questions and advice from our relatives based on what they think our lives are like at school. Their questions and opinions come from a place where everyone in college constantly eats Chinese food, never sleeps, and has a crazy party life. Okay, sometimes those things are true - but not always. Here’s a list of common misconceptions about college kids and why they aren’t true.
1. We are irresponsible.
Okay, NO. Yes, college is a time of growth and maturity, but that doesn’t mean we are more of a hot mess than everyone else in the world. This myth comes from the facts that our bills are usually paid for and we have our food permanently taken care of. In our defense, I have never met anyone with better time management and motivation than those who succeed in college.
2. Life is easy.
Life being good and life being easy are two very separate things. Being in college is great for many reasons, but that doesn’t cancel out the fact that it is a huge transition for everyone, and it comes with new challenges every year.
3. We are perpetually single.
College relationships are real. Neither life nor college is always more fun being single. I started college in a relationship and don’t feel the urge to be single just because I’m in college.
4. We never sleep and love to party.
This is such a huge misconception. I’ve seen a lot of people turn down weekends out to catch up on some sleep.
5. Staying healthy is easy because we are young.
The Freshman 15 is real. Staying healthy in college is just as much of a challenge as it is for anyone in the real world.
6. Social media is our lives.
No. Our lives are food and sleep.
7. Everyone has a squad.
My first semester, I had some friends - but I didn’t find a full gang until early October. There are people in college that are independent from “squads” and still happy.
