Before entering college, everyone is saying all the good and bad things that will occur, and what you need to be aware of. Well, it's not all true!
First of all...
1. The freshman 15.
Yes, you can gain a pound here and there, but as long as you stay away from the dessert bar, don't have the muffin, bacon, and hash browns every morning, and maybe stop by the salad bar every once in a while, you'll be fine. You also are so busy with getting to your classes across campus or you wake up later, that you don't even end up going to the dining hall for every meal. Plus, everyone ignores the fact that you are constantly walking. Whether it be from your room to the dining hall, or to every single class or club or your friend's dorm, you are always on the move!
2. You have to drink.
First, let me say that this is not true. You probably heard this in high school, but it is totally different in college. College is a place where you do you, and everyone minds their own business. We are all here to have a fun time, get a good education, and end up with a job. So no one will care if you have a drink or not, that's all on you. Drink because you want to, and don't drink if you don't want to.
3. Midterm week is THE WORST week of college.
Again, this is not true. College is a constant flow of work and play, with a flurry of quizzes and tests. But no matter what, you are always in your study space finishing up work. The work never stops, your workload just fluctuates on when it's heavier versus lighter. Everyone may say "midterms are killing me," when they are really just going along with what everyone else is saying. Surprisingly, some professors won't even give midterms and just make you write a paper or give you a test. The only thing different from this week than any other week in the year is that everyone is busier because a lot of assignments are due that week.
4. You are either best friends or worst enemies with your roommate.
You don't have to be at one end of the spectrum, you can actually be in the middle. Of course, we have all heard the stories of people's roommates who are the devils cousin or bring a guy home every night, while also there are the ones who are each other's maids of honor at each other's weddings. But it doesn't have to be either. I know plenty of people, including myself, who can come in, tell their roommate all of their problems and sometimes grab breakfast together, but have totally separate friend groups. It's all normal. So don't be bummed out if you aren't best friends and assume they have something wrong with them. Just accept that you're cordial and move on.
5. It's all partying
Sorry if this is what you've heard, but college is HARD. Instead of taking one or two AP's and the rest normal classes, you are taking 4-5 AP's and expected to be able to do it all at the same time. It's tempting to not want to hang with your friends and get your homework done instead. But you get the hang of it. Just rememeber homework comes before partying, because you're there to get a job, not a career in beer pong.
Hope this cleared up some stereotypes!
