Remember when you were in high school and thought that college would be this shiny, fun experience that would be the most amazing thing ever? Remember the culture shock you had when you realized that college wasn’t what you expected? Do you ever wish you could tell a few high schoolers a thing or two that you’ve learned about the “college experience?” I thought so. Here are some of the things you probably want to tell a high schooler about college that they need to know.
1. The first two years are essentially a repeat of high school in overdrive
Let’s be real, you’re still going to go over the quadratic equation and how earthquakes impact you – get it? Earthquakes, impact? No? OK.
2. When your high school teachers say, “You won’t have study guides in college…”
They were wrong: big time.
3. Being a college student does not make you an adult
I get it, you’re going to get upset when someone calls you a kid. Just understand that you are a kid – I’m 23 and still call myself a kid, and I’m fine with it. Granted I am a grown man who still reads comic books and watches cartoons…
4. A teacher might give you a study guide, but most do not give you any mercy when an assignment is late
You forgot to turn in that paper that’s worth 40 percent of your grade? Well, that professor has this class at the same time next semester – better luck next time, kid.
5. Your teachers will not cater to you
You earn your grade in college; you are not given anything. This is not to say that if something comes up a professor won't work with you to help you out; you have to communicate your problems. Be ready to work hard for that B in early British literature and be ready to feel proud for earning your grade.
6. Your teachers may or may not curse during class
Don’t be shocked when your teacher lets the f-bomb fly in the middle of lecture. I might add that your professors are far more experienced in using these words, so get ready for some colorful language. If you are a music major and haven’t practiced your music, your director will undoubtedly use this type of language. May God have mercy on your soul.
7.Network, network, network!
I am telling you this being someone who took this for granted until this year. These are the people you will work with one day in your career of choice. I know it’s a weird thought, but believe me, you are close to getting into your career field than you might think. One of the best ways you’ll ever network is by finding an internship! If I may shamelessly self-promote for a second, Odyssey is an excellent internship opportunity. An internship might be the thing that gets you a job over your stellar GPA. In order to network, you have to know people. Know people in the career field you want to get into!
8. Try new things
This is a time in your life when you should broaden your horizons in all aspects, or at least a few aspects. Try that new food everyone is raving about, take a weird class, make some new and different friends. Don’t stay inside your comfortable bubble! It might just change your career choice, outlook on life or just make you a friendlier and more relatable person.
9. Being sick is not an excuse to miss class
Sore throat? Man, that’s tough, but you have a quiz today. Take DayQuil for the day, and NyQuil for the night. This isn’t to say if you’re actually ill you should go to class; use your judgement here. Don't be the cause of a flu epidemic on campus. Stay home if you need to.
10. You don’t get to skip class or just go whenever you feel like it
Classes have these things called attendance policies, but your parents don’t get a phone call if you skip – you fail. I’m taking three classes this semester that only allow you to miss three times. Even if you have a class with no attendance policy, don’t skip. Sometimes your professor will see that attendance is low and will give out test answers or extra credit. If you decide to skip, it gets easier the next time, and the next time is even easier – it’s a slippery slope. Be smart, don’t skip.
11. You don’t have to go to a four-year school
Nowhere is it written “Thou shalt attend a four-year university." You definitely don’t have to go to college if you aren’t the academic type (if there is such a person that exists…)! Go to a trade school, tech school, no school -- just do something that excites you to get up in the morning. You are going to be working for the next 40-some-odd years or so, so have a passion for what you’re doing. At the end of the day, you have to be the one in your career, not your parents, friends or whomever else is trying to tell you what they want for your life.
12. Coffee will become your best friend
You will in fact develop a need for ground coffee beans brewed with hot water to get through the next four years – or your life in general. A fun fact that is a common misconception: Dark roast has less caffeine than light roast. Cheers.
P.S. If you go to Kennesaw State, the Writing Center on the second floor of the English building has free coffee; it’s Starbucks coffee on top of that. So go get your caffeine fix while getting some help with that English paper. The Wi-Fi connection isn’t bad either.
13. Have fun
I’ve given some of the presuppositions you may or may not have had about attending college that aren’t true, or you may not have even thought about. I get that this might sound overwhelming, but have fun. Understand that you will meet some of your best friends in college and you are going to learn so much about yourself. You are going to learn what you like and don’t like, and you will discover a side of yourself that you never knew exists. At least, that’s what I’ve done. It’s going to be a glass case of emotions, but it’s going to pay off in the long run. Get ready for some laughs, tears and a lot of all-nighters. Welcome to college.
