Well, we've done it. It's finally the end of the semester, and college students are finally getting a break from the exams and the essays. For many, like me, this was the first ever semester at college, and I can honestly say that it was...different than expected. Here are things that I was told or I had read about before going to college, and what I actually found to be true.
"Don't count on having the same friends that you make during orientation weekend."
This is something I found didn't exactly come true for me. While I made more friends over the semester, I still hang out with quite a few friends that I made over orientation weekend (some of who I consider to be very good friends with).
"Professors will never know who you are."
Okay, so maybe this is because I go to a relatively small college, but I had quite a few professors know my name within the first few weeks. I had maybe spoken to my stats professor one time one-on-one, but he knew who I was by the third week of school. I think that as long as you participate in their class and make yourself known, your professor will remember you.
"You cannot expect your grades to be even remotely close to the grades you got in high school."
This is true for a lot of people, and that's okay (because college actually is quite a bit harder than high school). For me, however, I've seemed to have some luck with keeping my grades above water. Maybe it's a "me" thing, or maybe it's something else, but I think that it's about using the resources that are available to you, and I think you'll come out okay.
"No one ever really goes to class, and it's completely normal to skip."
Okay, again, maybe this is just because my college is small. But, I really didn't notice a big issue with people constantly skipping classes. I think that once you hit college, people tend to actually care about going to class and school? Who knows.
"You either have to be the person who goes out and parties or you're the studious person who studies 24/7."
So, this one seems like a no-brainer, but many people still seem to think that they have to be one or the other. While I'm not a party person, I definitely learned very quickly how to balance social life and studying. And lo and behold, I still got good grades and I have friends! It's actually possible!
"For every hour in class, spend two hours studying."
Everyone remembers and learns differently. For some people, this may work, but for others -- it absolutely does not. I'm not one of those people. Studying for two hours? For EACH class? That just makes my brain hurt honestly. That wouldn't work for how I learn. Essentially, find what studying habits work for you -- don't try to force yourself into a "mould" for college student studying.
As our first semester ends, it is important to look back on what we've learned over the past few months. Look at how you've grown as a person and a student. But most importantly, don't think about school and enjoy the break.
