Here’s a riddle...
What do you get when you shepherd masses of young adults (*gasp* I know, I’ve broken some unspoken rule by using the truly offensive “a” word of our time. Forgive me.) into the same location and subject them to a series of inherently similar, yet truly unique, academic and social experiences?
(Hint: it's notKaraoke night at Applebee's. I mean, well, it could be. But that's not what I'm currently referencing).
I’d say you’ve got college. And with that, an entire culture has been created.
College culture. *light bulb*
Believe it or not, college culture isn’t just about the late night drives to Sheetz or even the vehement cramming.
(Though these things are certainly part of the culture.)
It’s a collection of all of the philosophical, behavioral, social, and language norms that, at large, college students accept as truth.
Despite what your grandparents might say about “kids these days," the college culture of our generation isn’t all bad. (Netflix never hurt anybody. I mean except for that one time you watched two full seasons of "Orange is the New Black" in the same day and your neck cramped from the strain. Minor details.)
There are many positives of the culture we are a part of and I wear my title “student” proudly. (Mostly because of the discounts. But you get the sentiment.) I even show off my totally awesome student ID to everyone I meet! (OK, you got me. That was an outright lie. I mean does anyone not look like a chubby-cheeked, overly-excited, crazed wombat in their picture?)
One trait of college culture (that is applicable to most cultures) is that it unifies a group of beautifully diverse students without forcing them to surrender their own #FLAWLESS identities.
However, it is important that we be careful and particular about the ideas, beliefs, and conducts that we unify under.
I'm officially pulling a Martin Luther (thank you History 201) by outlining a list of 50 Grievances that I have with what I perceive to be a part of college culture.
To keep with tradition, I will be nailing this list of grievances to the doors of every single college student. (Only metaphorically, not literally. That would take too long. And I would have to pay vandalism fees. I don't think they will accept leggings and Diet Coke as payment.)
Admittedly, my own perceptions affect the way I interpret college culture. Which is why, even if nothing changes about the culture... I'm permanently kicking these habits for myself. Because, well, to put it simply... "baby, I'm worth it." *Saxophone Solo*
Stop...
1. Feeling guilty for staying in.
Let's be real, college life is a thrill but it can also be exhausting. After a week of classes and all of the other excitement college throws at you, you deserve to wear your Tinkerbell pajamas while watching re-runs of Lost on a Friday night. You've earned that right, darn it.
2. Picking a major for someone else’s happiness instead of your own.
Trying to make someone else happy at your own expense never works. We're not talking about giving up your last piece of gum so your friend knows she's bae. Choosing your major will, at a minimum, affect your happiness for the next four years. Yet, more than likely, even longer than that.
3. Feeling personally ashamed/afraid to get academic support.
There is literally nothing wrong with receiving support and taking advantages of the opportunities available. Almost all college students would agree with this statement, yet we continue to be unable to apply similar thinking to ourselves. Be an advocate for yourself. Because you owe it to you.
4. Accepting less than what you deserve.
You deserve someone who would do anything for you and he can't even text you back? Don't go down with that ship. Not that one.
5. Not making time to go to the gym.
We all know the physical health benefits that exercising has. But it's also the most under-used stress reliever. Life can get busy but routinely skipping work-outs only cheats yourself in the long run! (Pun totally intended.)
6. Checking yikyak routinely just to make sure there isn’t anything ugly said about you.
Who the heck cares if someone is judging you for your outfit choices. Did Janet Jackson apologize for the Superbowl costume "malfunction?" Okay, maybe she did. But she also got to dance on stage with Justin Timberlake, so who is the real winner here?
7. Caring if there is.
You woke up like this. And by "this" I mean perfect.
8. Pretending to check your phone in lieu of greeting acquaintances you pass while walking to class.
It's strange how we just stopped doing something as simple as saying "hi" because looking at a (expensive) piece of aluminium was easier.
9. Apologizing for our emotions.
Feeling is what makes us living, breathing, beings.
10. Believing you need to have your life together this very second.
College students are intensely pressed to have a life plan mapped out. Yet, here's the thing...we are in college for a reason: to learn. Not only from the (super expensive) texbooks but from ourselves.
11. Not forgiving yourself when you realize you just don’t.
Nobody's perfect! If that Hannah Montana song just popped in to your head, you're my person. Be patient with yourself. It takes a lifetime to get everything right.
12. Being overly critical of both ourselves and others.
Remember that saying: "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all?" Let's re-implement that one in to our daily lives. The way you think about both yourself and others impacts your happiness.
13. Associating success with self worth.
You aren't your GPA. You're so much more than that.
14. Thinking you’ve lost your BFF when she gets an s/o.
Nothing could ever replace a sister.
15. Pulling regular all nighters.
We've all done it occasionally, but making all nighters a frequent habit can have dangerous side affects.
16. Not truly accepting compliments
Instead of disbelieving or even denying, simply say "thank you."
17. Not speaking up during class.
What you have to say matters. Never forget that.
18. Thinking that saying “hey do you want to chill in my room?” is a great way to ask someone out on a first date.
Take me to Woodgrill so I know it's real.
19. Being unable to admit when you were wrong.
It's OK to be wrong. It's OK to make mistakes. It's not OK to never admit that.
20. Never, ever putting yourself first.
It's great to do nice things for other people. It's great to do nice things for yourself every once in a while. You'll get burned out otherwise.
21. Not communicating with professors.
This has seriously saved my life before. Also, they aren't as scary as you'd think.
22. Always waiting for someone else to make the first move.
Why wait?
23. Judging yourself for the number of people you have (or haven’t) slept with.
After all, you can't change the past.
24. Limiting yourself.
Sometimes we are our own mean girls. Don't hold yourself back.
25. Making excuses.
Be honest with yourself and others. It's easier that way.
26. Fearing commitment.
"If you liked it then you should've put a ring on it." Beyonce said it best.
27. Waiting until 2 am to start that paper.
Unless you have a really good reason to.
28. Avoiding the library.
Believe it or not, the internet doesn't have all the answers.
29. Eating emotionally.
Unless you're at Buffalo Wild Wings. Then it's totally okay.
30. Texting during class.
You pay a soul and a kidney to go to class. Get your money's worth.
31. Forgetting that this is a once in a life time opportunity.
Carpe Diem, bruh.
32. Opting to sit alone rather than ask someone if you could sit next to them.
Socializing is good.
33. Not being clear about what you want in a relationship.
Communication is key in any relationship. By not expressing your expectations, you're already off to a potentially bad start.
34. Forgetting that you were once a freshman, too.
We all know what it's like to walk around in circles while carrying around a campus map. (The worst.) So offer your help to those who look like they might need it. (Also, don't assume that just because a person is 5-feet-1-inch and baby faced that they are a freshman. This happens to me every, single, time.)
35. Doubting yourself.
Too many people don't try, only because they believe they are incapable of succeeding when, in fact, the only thing that makes them incapable is that mind set.
36. Being ashamed to say you miss home.
It's OK to miss not having to wear flip flops in the shower. We all miss that.
37. Falling asleep with make-up on.
Be nice to your skin.
38. Thinking that, just because you’re single now, you're destined to be a cat lady/man for all eternity. 
Unless you want to be a cat lady/man for all eternity. In which case, go for it.
39. Saying “yes” to things you'd rather say "no" to.
Don't spread yourself too thin.
40. Saying “no” to things you'd rather say "yes" to.
Don't be afraid to take chance.
41. Thinking you're in control of everything.
There's always a plan.
42. Not taking responsibility when you are in control.
Do what you can to make this world a better place.
43. Forgetting to reward yourself.
Everyone needs positive reinforcement in order to be successful.
44. Being afraid to say you love someone that you really do.
Don't be afraid to make yourself vulnerable.
45. Not telling your mom how great she is every single day.
Really. There is no other woman like her.
46. Fearing rejection.
In order to win some, you have to be willing to loose some.
47. Not believing that your dance moves aren't totally awesome.
"Getch ya freak on!" The wise words of Missy Elliot.
48. Trying to be someone you're not.
You are you. And no one else is. That's pretty darn incredible in itself.
49. Threatening to drop out every time things get rough.
Because you've totally got this.
50. Thinking you’re the only one who is having trouble adulting.
We are all right there with you.
