In high school, teachers often threaten or advise us to get into the habit of certain things due to the fact that "college will automatically expect this of you".
One month into college and I realized most of the things my high school teachers said are false.
Now some of these may not be applicable to every single college, but the majority of them are. So, to my fellow high school students, take notes, for these are the most common lies your teachers will tell you your senior year. And for my fellow college kids, you're welcome.
1. "MLA is what you will use in college, so you might as well memorize it now."
This is the first thing you will realize. The most common formats for college writing is APA and Turabian. For the majority of your college career, you will be writing in a format that is within your own discipline.
Shout out to my economics teacher who made us do that horrid Macro project in APA. We thank you.
2. "Your professors won't accept late work."
Just like your high school teachers, professors will accept late work. You might just get five points taken off for each day it's late. Plus, your professors are willing to give you extensions, just ask in advance. Also, you will get professors who simply forget that an assignment was even due, so don't fret, young one.
3. "Your professors will be strict."
Just like high school, it's a hit or a miss if you will get a strict professor or not. But the majority of them are really nice. Also, sometimes they will cancel class just because they don't feel like teaching that day.
4. "Your professors won't give you any extra studying material."
Your professors will provide you all the materials you will need to pass the class which may include: power points, lecture outlines, their annotations on the reading, a step by step word document on how to complete an assignment and get a 100%, and so much more.
5. "Your professors won't care for you."
This is the biggest lie of them all. Your professors will be the best support system you have as you go through their class. It does not matter if you are in a lecture hall of 100+ students or in a classroom of ten, your professors will do anything to help you succeed in their class and in your other courses – you just have to seek the help.
All in all, college isn't as scary as everyone makes it out to be. Yes, there will be good days and bad days, but nothing you have not already experienced in high school. Don't let your teachers fool you and get ready for the best time of your life!
