The "Harry Potter" book and movie series has taken a serious toll on our hearts. We fantasize about joining the magical world of witchcraft and wizardry and still hold onto the idea that our Hogwarts letters of acceptance were simply delayed (I BELIEVE IN YOUR DELIVERY ABILITIES, OWLS). Many of us who have grown up reading the books and watching the movies have now moved on to college or beyond. While it may be "too late" (DON'T LISTEN TO WHAT THEY SAY. THEY'RE COMING) for us to experience the wonders of Hogwarts, we have already experienced or are experiencing in college many of the moments and lessons that happened throughout the journey of Harry Potter.
Here are eight Harry Potter moments college students can relate to:
1. When the students first arrive to school.
Whether you’re a first year or a fourth year, you feel both at home and fascinated. Even if you’ve already done it before, you can’t help but feel anxious and excited by what’s around you and what is to come.
2. When you don't always understand something the moment you're taught it (and you're not happy about it), while other times you do get it (and you couldn't be prouder).
When it comes to learning, some days you’re a spot-on Hermione. Other times, you’re a Ron (who just needs a little more time and practice to get it).
3. When professors can be strict and tough, but you know the good ones will always know what they’re doing and be there to help you.
Just think about McGonagall, Flitwick and Lupin. Professors aren’t always easy and don't always give out high marks, but they are there to help you become better and succeed. Maybe they aren’t fighting by your side in a great war, but at the end of the day (or office hours) you see that they do care for your education.
I must say though that we do run into professors, like Dolores Umbridge, Gilderoy Lockhart, Severus Snape or Quirrinus Quirrel, who exemplify favoritism, passive aggressive behavior, bullying and unqualified knowledge in their subjects. While it's possible they may be good people, they just aren't cut out for teaching.
4. When you feel like you’re always doing something wrong...
… Even when you’re not. Dobby feels the pressures of being an enslaved house elf and desires to be liberated from the system. Though you're not being enslaved, you can’t help but feel the pressures and anxiety that come from being bounded to academic success. So when you feel like you’re doing something wrong and want to bang your head into the wall, you have to refrain really hard from doing so. You know you shouldn’t be so hard on yourself, but sometimes it just can’t be helped.
5. When you just have to break some rules.
Whether it’s wearing contacts in lab, taking a cup from the dining hall or skipping class for a protest, sometimes you have to break the rules to do what you think is best for you (or the world), just as the Golden trio deemed fit.
6. When you realize you should always pay attention in class.
Harry, Ron and Hermione used a lot of what they learned in school to get through much of their journey, from potions to spells to magical creatures. Yeah, you’re not trying to save the wizarding world, but you’re being taught whatever it is for a reason. Even if you think the only time it will show up is in this class, you know you should pay attention because you never know when you’re going to need it.
7. When Intelligence isn’t everything.
Sure, Hermione hit all the books and helped the Golden trio get through numerous tasks, but books can’t teach you how to love or give you life skills. Even Hermione knew that. We all know that on top of intelligence, we have to be brave enough, kind enough and loving enough to truly be the best we can be and defeat the Dark Lord… er… I mean our adult responsibilities.
8. When you realize the friends you meet here will become your family.
Harry, Ron and Hermione’s relationship further reiterates the fact that family doesn’t always mean blood. Ron and Hermione needed Harry just as much as Harry needed them. The friends you’ve made or will make in college will be your forever friends and become your second family.
Now of course your college isn’t nearly as magically-amazingly-awesomely beautiful as Hogwarts, but you can always dream, right?
