While this statement may seem like an extremely obvious one to some people, others think that everybody does college the same way. Most people think college is for finding the balance between partying, passing classes and having the best time ever. But the truth is, there really is no set formula; every single person does college different. Let me be clear here: there is no “right” way to do college, so don’t judge somebody just because they’re not doing college your way.
College holds a different meaning for everybody, so why should all the experiences be the same? Some people are ready to go away to college the minute they set foot in high school, but not everybody is as eager to go; and that’s okay. Mostly everybody is going through the same thing and is having the same thoughts and feelings their first few weeks away at school. There are so many new things to worry about, like your new classes and making new friends, as well as being away from your family for possibly the first time ever. Making friends and putting yourself out there doesn’t come naturally to everyone, but for some people it does. Some people have found their best friends for the next four years within the first four days of being away at college, and they’re the lucky ones.
Some people go to college simply just to get an education, while others go for a more social aspect. Both of these are fine reasons to go to college, and there definitely isn’t one perfect reason a person should be going to college. Everyone is different, and so are their college experiences. Everybody always says “college is the best time of your life,” but some people hate college! And that’s okay too, you don’t have to love college, you just need to graduate. Other people love college so much that they stay for more than four years; and that’s okay too. College isn’t a race, don’t judge someone for how quickly or slowly they complete it.
One thing I wish someone would have told me during high school is that you’re not a failure if you want go home for a weekend. After all it’s your home, and you’ll always have some kind of attachment to it. For some reason during my high school career I would judge a college student’s success by how much they looked like they were enjoying themselves at college or by how many times they would come home for the weekend. This is not how to measure a student’s success in college, and it’s not bad to just need a break from college life and go back to a place you know better.
Basically, college is not easy for anyone. Maybe classes are easy, but the social aspect is hard; or vice versa. Whatever the case, college is different for every single person. And there isn’t a single right way to do it. College is a balance, so don’t judge a person for having a different balance than yours. The only thing that needs to be consistent through everyone’s college experiences is happiness.
