Life as a full time college student is tough and very tiring. You have made it through grade school, middle school and now high school. You received the diploma of your freedom from your high school. Little did you know what came along after you received that diploma. You gained freedom but adult responsibilities. Adult responsibility such as paying bills if you hadn't already, maybe moving out, getting a job, learning how to juggle free time with productive work time. So so many things go into being an adult that I don't think many high schoolers think of until they are place into this world by themselves. I know I at least didn't think of half the things I've dealt with over the course of a year and half from being out of high school.
1. Going to College
Attending college is a wonderful thing, I mean this in a total non- sarcastic way. College really is great because depending on where you decided to attend whether it be a community/ vocational college, trade school. four- year public or private institution is an experience all its own. Community, vocational, and trade schools are by far the cheaper options in this expensive world of schooling, There are pro's and con's to each type of schooling its a matter of finding which pro's and con's that you personally want to deal with everyday of you schooling time.
I personally chose a four-year private liberal arts college in Monmouth, IL. I wanted to be in state because it was cheaper that way but also wanted to have some space from my family. I was chomping at the bit to leave my mother's house and wanted this freedom everyone was speaking of. I felt like I had the upper hand because I was already taking care of so much on my own but little did I know I had so much I wasn't dealing with. I never had to pay my phone or car insurance bill because I bust my ass so hard as a full-time college student and balancing my on-campus work study job and doing pretty damn well as a first- generation college student. I would love to take care of those bills but I simply just do not make enough money to cover both plus groceries and additional expenses of college that like to randomly pop up.
2. Living with a Roommate
Being able to share a very small space that has not only your junk in it but also another person's for a whole academic year is just lovely. You have these small twin extra large beds, a desk and possibly a dresser and closet but its very hard to organize a space to its maximum potential of functionality when you add in everything else that you and your roommate bring with you. Dividing up what you and roommate will bring will help a TON!!! Who really needs two tv's and microwaves in their room?!
I personally went through three roommates my freshman year. I've always known I don't get along well with others because I have some serious OCD about cleanliness and how a room should be. I also just have a unique personality that it takes a special type of person to understand why I do what I do. I'm in my sophomore year and decided to be roommates with my best friend who just happens to have a very similar personality as mine. We personally brought both of our fridges because I special food needs and we put drinks and sometimes freezer specific foods in her fridge. She also brought her microwave and fridge and I essentially brought the decorations that are in our room. Keeping in contact with your roommate is completely key to success within a dorm. So save their number and if you really cannot handle them try adding emjoi's after their name to make them more appealing.
3. Dorm Bathrooms
When I say that dorm bathrooms have to be something out of a nightmare or horror story I really truly mean it. Yes, there are janitors that clean them every day but that doesn't stop your floor-mates from leaving wads of their hair in the shower, on the shower wall or even on the floor outside of the shower. Your floor-mates can also be childish and not flush the toilets or properly dispose of their monthly garbage. I might sound like a total drama queen but I enjoy a very clean environment, it's just how I was raised I suppose. Oh and if you wanna know what it's like to shower in a dorm shower. Go find a friend or relative or just someone who has a camper. The showers are very small and may not allow for much movement while in them and are much like ones in a camper. They can get a bit bigger but cherish the moments you take a shower in your families large bathroom and that you have access to a tub. Not all college dorms will have bath tubs. That may not be a problem for many people but I use a tub to shave my legs, soak my feet and to soak my body in the colder months since I have arthritis.
Those are just some of the basic parts of college life... stayed tuned for future articles on other college related pro's, con's and other topics.
