It's that time of the year where high school seniors are about to graduate. Moms and dads all over the United States are wiping tears away while seniors are out celebrating. They're all ready to move out and be in a dorm; To be away from the watchful eye of mom and dad.
But should they be getting so excited so fast? Are they ready for the adult world? I can tell you from experience, that I'm not ready for the real world and I'm a college junior.
The real world isn't all it's cracked up to be. For starters, you have to pay your college tuition. Tuition that, no matter where you go, will be high. Think of high school as your "trial run" for real life.
Once you are handed that high school diploma, you must pay tuition to continue your education. Once you've paid your semi-annual dues, you are then required to purchase textbooks. Think of these as your "weapons." To get a higher skill level, you need better weapons. To get a good grade in class, unless your professor states no book, the book is required.
The only saving grace for this is they tell you on the first day if they use the book or not. This is the one cost that can wait a little bit.
Whether you're living in the dorms or the apartments in town, you'll have bills. If you're in the dorms, your only bills will only be for groceries and gas. You're usually required to have a meal plan, but the chances of you using it to completion are slim.
For those who live in an apartment, you'll have multiple bills a month: rent, utilities and groceries. The apartment is the intermediate version of adulting in college – renting a house being the advanced version.
There are several ups and downs to college. It's hard, but we've all been there. College is where you find your true friends, the friends that stick with you to your grave. The real friends who you get to tear up a nursing home with.
College is the time and place to find yourself, so enjoy your free trial run while it lasts. Once you step outside to the real world, enjoy it.