A new school year has begun and with that means new classes, professors, friendships, and experiences, but with that comes the same familiar daily college routine: Wake up, eat, somehow magically get to and survive class, eat, somehow magically get to and survive another class, eat, and sleep, then wake up and do it all over again the next day. Sounds fun, right? As a junior in college, that means I have reached the halfway mark and boy, I am getting old. Seems like Junior year of high school was yesterday. Yet for some reason junior year in both academic institutions seem so comparable. I like comparing things. Let's compare junior year (11th grade) of high school to that of college (15th grade???? Eh, why not.)

Motivation to go to class

High School: Ugh great, so looking forward to another fun day of school. I sure love spending 6 hours a day, 10 months a year learning new things with people I love in a very vibrant environment. (*sarcasm*)

College: Oh great, I sure can't wait to spend an hour and fifteen minutes 3 times today studying the uttermost thing I am passionate about in a flourishing, stimulating environment.

Seeing People

High School: Oh look, there is that person I absolutely love! And there is that person I absolutely love! Isn't it great how we are all here at school getting along together fine in a non-judgy atmosphere? (*sarcasm again* Okay I think you got the point)

College: Oh wow, that dude's so chill. And that dude really knows how to college. These are my type of people.

Tests

High School: Midterms, Finals, ACT, PSAT, SAT. My favorite test is the ProcrastinACT.

College: Midterms and Finals. Just because there are less tests than in high school doesn't mean I reverted back to loving them.

Essays

High School: 1,000 or so word essay on something about myself for colleges to look at. Yea so what do I know about myself again?

College: 5,000 word minimum essay about politics using only scholarly sources and you only have 2 weeks to do it? Sounds like a no-brainer.

Applying to College

High School: Oh wow that school has a water park! And that school has a roller coaster! And those schools respectively have teleportation systems and go kart tracks! Wait, why am I still in high school?

College: Graduate school? Yeah..... But wait, isn't college technically graduate school for high school? So philospophical...

Transportation

High School: Showing off as a newly-licensed driver in your swag-filled Ferrari (or even more swag-filled yellow school bus.)

College: Showing off as a newly-licensed junior in your swag filled Nike's which you will wear on your 15 minute cross-campus hike to Intermediate Spanish class.

Coming home from school

High School: It feels so good to be back from a long, 6-hour, 9 period day of school.

College: It feels so good to be back from a long, 3 hour day of 2 classes in college.

Counting down to Graduation

High School: I can't wait to graduate! Who knows what wonders await in college....

College: I don't want to graduate! Who knows what wonders await in the real world (shrug).