The first week of my college experience is now over. I’ve now got a better understanding of this new world, and yet I have so much to experience. Let’s talk about the goods and the bad of it.
The good:
1. Not being treated like we’re five
Um HELLO we are FINALLY treated like adults! I have some professors who try and stay on top of me with some of the work, but for the most part I’m on my own.
2. Swearing
Personally I love how professors swear. It’s new and funny because high school teachers never did! You might of gotten that rule breaker teacher who swore every once and awhile but it wasn’t a common thing.
3. Classes
You might only have one class a day! My class are an hour and 50 minutes each and before school started I was absolutely dreading it! How was I going to stay in class for that long when in high school I could barely do 45 minutes? It's amazing actually because it really doesn’t feel that long. For the most part my professors are interesting. I really want to understand what I’m being taught. And even though there are specific classes you have to take, there's different categories within that course. So for example, all freshmen at RIC have to take a first year seminar class one semester. My specific class is about the Native Americans and their point of view of the Europeans coming over to America.
4. Bathroom
We never again have to raise our hand to go to the bathroom and be denied to go. All we have to do is walk out and come back and the professor doesn’t bat an eye at you.
5. Attendance
Is it mandatory? With some professors it is. For my English class, it’s 50% of our grade, along with participation. HOWEVER we take no tests and quizzes and my professor said we most likely will not be taking a mid-term. So I’ll have attendance be mandatory for that trade off. However I have a psychology class of 244 students so my professor will never know if I miss a class and says he "strongly" encourages us to come to class.
6. Making friends
My first week of high school I already have different groups of friends. Advise for younger people: make different groups of friends. If you have a falling out with one group, you can have support from another friend to help you through it all. Plus you won’t be left alone. Go into class and just talk to the person your next to! Chances are they want to do the same but are nervous too.
7. Class days
I don’t have that awful class I hate so very much everyday. Instead I have it twice a week. And I have days in between. My precalc. class is Monday and Thursdays. It’s wonderful.
The bad:
1. Eight A.M.s
Those are HORRIBLE. I’m not sure if it’s because I’m still in ‘summer mode’ but I can not function first thing in the morning. I wake up at 6:30 too! It’s not like I roll out of bed and go straight to class. It might seem like a good idea because you get out early but all you’ll want to do is go home and sleep. Believe me, they are not a good choice (unless you work or have other activities like myself).
2. Money
Be prepared. ALL of your money is going straight into the school. Thought that not living on campus would save you money? Yeah same pretty much, however I have to buy books, eat at some point, drive back and forth to school, possibly help pay for take out at a friends dorm and so on. I don’t understand how some of my friends don’t work and go to school.
3. Being treated like an adult
If you’re a procrastinator (like I am at some points) then this is not going to go well. As great as it is that you’re being treated like an adult, I know part of me will miss the teachers telling us when something is due every five minutes, or having the class to do an assignment that they know will take forever to finish.
4. Homework
It’s the first week and I already have SO much to do. I was very much in that mode where I wouldn't have work because it’s the first week and students and professors are getting in order with things. That is very much NOT the case here. I’m already drowning in school work.
5. Balance
It sucks having to balance school, work and friends. You want to sleep in? Too bad you have class. Want to go out with friends? Well you decided to do a later class so you could sleep in. Social life? What’s that when you work all week because you have to save up for college.
The college life. It’s truly a beautiful new experience. So far it seems a lot better than high school and yet I miss the years of being a kid. It still amazes me that I’m finally here. Soon enough I’ll be graduating starting a new life. How weird is that going to feel? But for once, I’m going to sit and enjoy the moment of being an adult but still having less responsibilities and enjoy my college years.
