1. Teacher’s DO CARE if you go to class or not
I had this idea in my head that professor’s didn’t care if you showed up to class or not because they had so many students. I learned that I was sadly mistaken when I opened my syllabi in all of my classes to find strict rules saying that no more than 2 classes could be missed a semester and listened as my teachers took roll at the beginning of every class. So, go to class. Your teacher does notice if you’re not there.
2. Upperclassmen are not evil spawns
In high school, the illusive creatures of “college kids” are rumored to be mean, spiteful and out to get (or haze) you. This could not be farther from the truth- at my college at least. When I joined the Chi Omega sorority, I was overwhelmed with dozens of girls who made an effort to ensure that I was happy and taken care of. During the first week of school, there were students with bright yellow “ask me” stickers whose sole job was to be available to anyone who had a question or needed directions. Don’t be afraid of older kids, they really aren’t that bad and can actually be very helpful at times.
3. Don’t suck up to your teacher, suck up to the TA (If there is one)
If you’re like me, on your first day of college classes you noticed this random person standing in the back of your classroom like a stalker. I thought, “maybe they’re observing”. Nope, that awkward creeper in the back of your class is the TA. In high school, your teacher was the one who did everything. She checked your homework, was available at your beckon call to help you and graded all of your quizzes, tests and projects. This is not the case in college. When you turn in a paper, there is a good chance your professor won’t even see it because the TA grades them all (if you ask me, it seems like teachers are just figureheads and TA’s do all of the real work). So introduce yourself to them and make them like you because more than likely, they are the ones who will determine your grade in that class.
4. It’s okay to skip a party every once in a while
College is the last time in your life where you will go to parties on a regular basis without being told that “you’re too old for that”. You will feel obligated to go to every single one because that’s what college kids do, right? If I went to every party that I had the chance to, I would barely be alive and probably failing all of my classes. It took me a while to understand that it’s okay to spend a Friday night by yourself! It doesn’t mean you’re a loser that has no friends. Everyone needs a quiet night to themselves every now and then and there’s nothing wrong with that. So put on those sweatpants, cuddle up with a cute animal and binge-watch Netflix every now and then (you will thank yourself when you wake up the next day feeling refreshed and rested instead of feeling like you just got hit by a semi).
5. Sororities are not a bunch of snobby, rich girls
You can hear the giddy screeching of teenage girls jumping up and down while taking selfies from a mile away, and while that may or may not be true, there is so much more to sororities than people see. In my sorority, I have found some of the most humble, kind and Jesus-loving people that I have ever met. One of the main ideals of a sorority is its philanthropy. Each chapter has their own charity that they support and all year there are tons of fundraisers and campaigns that benefit those charities. Besides service, each chapter also has their own set of values. In Chi Omega’s symphony it says, “To be lovable rather than popular, to work earnestly, to speak kindly . . .” This is the side of sororities that I wish more people saw.
6. You won’t become BFF’s with everyone on your floor
Living in a dorm is an experience that you will never forget. Whether it's communal showers, creaky windows, or walls as thin as paper, dorm life is something that I was looking forward to most going into my freshman year. I couldn’t wait to meet all of the other girls on my floor and become BFF’s with every one of them. Weeks went by and I had only said cordial hello’s to a select few of them and I wondered if something was wrong with me. After talking to other people, I learned that you don’t have to become best friends with your floor. It’s awesome if you do, but don’t expect to find your maid-of-honor down the hall.
7. The Freshman 15 is real, but it can be controlled
Yes, it’s real. And it sucks. One day, you look in the mirror and there’s a roll on your thigh that wasn’t there before and you feel like the world is going to implode, but don’t panic. Everything is good in moderation so, yes! Go to the endless ice cream bar in the cafeteria but maybe not 3 times a day, 4 days a week. While the Freshman 15 is real, it can be moderated and even avoided. It’s all about moderation (and look, I am a total chocoholic so I totally understand the struggle)
Of all these things, there are some things about college that are true. You will meet some of the best people, you do need to study A LOT and you will have some of the best times of your life. College is such an awesome experience and I will forever be grateful that I got the opportunity to do it myself. #SMTTT
