Everyone Says College Is So Much Fun, But Here Are Five Realizations I Had After My First Two Weeks Of College
Start writing a post
Student Life

Everyone Says College Is So Much Fun, But Here Are Five Realizations I Had After My First Two Weeks Of College

It isn't all sunshine and rainbows, trust me.

65
Everyone Says College Is So Much Fun, But Here Are Five Realizations I Had After My First Two Weeks Of College
Stanley Morales

To say I was excited to start college is an understatement. I have quite honestly had a "college time" board on Pinterest for an embarrassing five years. I know what you are thinking, and yes, that's kind of ridiculous. From watching movies and having friends go off to college, I had this ludicrous idea of what college was going to be like. I'd have a few hours of the day for classes, and then the rest of the time I would be able to hang out with friends. I would get good amounts of sleep most days, but occasionally, I may pull all-nighters with some of my new bffs. Well let me just say that this is not necessarily true. I'm not here to scare you off, but college, in my experience, is not quite like that. There have been several realizations I have made after my first couple of weeks in college.

Making friends (and keeping them) is hard.

If you are a "shy-at-first" kind of person, then you know that making friends can be a hard task. I normally suck at being the first one to introduce myself to the person next to me. I'd usually just be on my phone to avoid an interaction, but going into college, I knew I needed to have a least one acquaintance, if not a friend, in each class to get the work from in case I'm gone. Every class thus far, I have introduced myself to the people sitting around me. Since every class I have had doesn't have assigned seating, in most of my classes I don't sit to the same people. I find that those people I made an effort to get to know and hopefully become friends with have found out they have other friends in the class and gone to sit with them the rest of the semester. Can I really be mad at them because they know someone else in the class and want to sit with them? No, but I can still be upset about it regardless. I am not good at putting myself out there, trust me, so for me to go out of my way to talk to you in a classroom full of strangers, you better feel pretty special.

Utilizing your free time to do homework & study is essential.

I am majoring in Spanish, and I started out in the first level classes since it has been a couple of years since I've had the opportunity to take Spanish courses. At my school (and probably many others), the first two courses of Spanish are five credit hours; you either meet every day for 1 hour or two days for two and a half hours. Since we have class everyday, we usually have some form of an online assignment to complete before class. Midway through my first week of school, I forgot all about having an assignment, so I failed to complete it that evening. Thankfully, the next morning, I checked our online blackboard and saw that we had assignment due before class. Now, after having two weeks under my belt, I feel that I have a pretty good routine of getting all my work done before I have fun. It may not sound like a good time, but I like to make sure I have everything completed before having "social" time because I am in college to first get an education.

You aren’t always going to get along with your roommates, suitemates, and/or hallmates.

Thankfully, I get along great with my roommate. Although our schedules are quite different from each other, we have found a rhythm that works for the both of us. It's the same with my suitemates, as I haven't had much interaction with them. My hallmates, though, are definitely not my favorite people in the world, and this is mainly because of their noise levels. I try to get as much sleep as I can so that I am well rested, but it can be quite difficult to do so when your hallmates are playing music ridiculously loud or coming in from parties at one or two in the morning yelling at each other in the hall. I try not to be a "fun-killer", but sometimes a girl just needs her sleep. If you don't get along with the people in your room or hall, just know it's okay and completely normal.

Dropping a class does not mean you are stupid or suck as a human being.

Being a perfectionist at heart, I came into college with the notion that dropping a course meant it was too difficult for you and you just sucked. I was faced with the harsh reality that its okay three days into my college career. I attended one day of my history class, and I just wasn't getting great vibes from my professor. Her teaching methods wouldn't benefit me and my learning style, but I told myself to just stick it out. I came back to her class for the second time that week, and I realized I couldn't just toughen up and continue the class. I ended up going to my advisor and dropping the class, an easy and painless process, and that was it. Please don't be like me and think that dropping a course is negative or reflects badly on you because it truly doesn't. Also, if you are going to drop a class, make sure it's during your school's "grace period" that way it doesn't go on your transcript.

Crying is okay, even if it is five times as much as you cried during high school.

Crying needs to be normalized, but that's a topic for another day. I cried so much during high school; it was insane. Whether it be over people, classes, or just the general stress of life, my first reaction most times was to just cry. So far this semester, I have probably cried about ten or so times. Many of those times were because I was either lonely, didn't feel like I belonged, or was just not feeling great mentally. It happens to everyone at some point in their life, so just know you aren't alone. There are several ways to combat these feelings if you truly dislike crying. If you are feeling lonely, call up some of your high school best friends. If you are feeling like you don't belong, go out and eat some ice cream. If you are not having a great day mentally, take some time for yourself and take up a new hobby. The point is crying is totally okay in college and anywhere else, but there are things you can do if you don't like crying.

College is a great experience, but it for sure isn't like all the cute movies made about it. Once you get on campus and start taking classes, reality will set in whether you like it or not. Just remember that many other college freshman having to face the same harsh realities as you, even if they don't show it publicly.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

934374
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

110908
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lots of people sat on the cinema wearing 3D glasses
Pinterest

Ever wonder what your friend meant when they started babbling about you taking their stapler? Or how whenever you ask your friend for a favor they respond with "As You Wish?" Are you looking for new and creative ways to insult your friends?

Well, look no further. Here is a list of 70 of the most quotable movies of all time. Here you will find answers to your questions along with a multitude of other things such as; new insults for your friends, interesting characters, fantastic story lines, and of course quotes to log into your mind for future use.

Keep Reading...Show less
New Year Resolutions

It's 2024! You drank champagne, you wore funny glasses, and you watched the ball drop as you sang the night away with your best friends and family. What comes next you may ask? Sadly you will have to return to the real world full of work and school and paying bills. "Ah! But I have my New Year's Resolutions!"- you may say. But most of them are 100% complete cliches that you won't hold on to. Here is a list of those things you hear all around the world.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

The Ultimate Birthday: Unveiling the Perfect Day to Celebrate!

Let's be real, the day your birthday falls on could really make or break it.

60874
​different color birthday candles on a cake
Blacksburg Children's Museum

You heard it here first: birthdays in college are some of the best days of your four years. For one day annually, you get to forget about your identity as a stressed, broke, and overworked student, and take the time to celebrate. You can throw your responsibilities for a day, use your one skip in that class you hate, receive kind cards and gifts from loved ones and just enjoy yourself.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments