Whether you live on an enormous campus or commute to a community college, as a student you hear - or say - one or more of these at least once a day. It's inevitable! Study dates with your friends, in the library, in the line at Starbucks, these are phrases that are everywhere.
"I'm dropping out."
I actually hear this multiple times a day, from multiple people. "I quit," they announce, as they get out their books to study. "I'm officially done with this class," they claim as they rush to finish their homework on time. "I'll just live with my parents for the rest of my life," they exasperate, as they continue to work hard every day to maintain their GPA.
No one actually means it. Yet.
"Do I go to this class or take a nap?"
We're all guilty of thinking this. That accidental extra snooze you hit on your alarm last week proves it.
Sometimes college is exhausting, especially if you're extra involved on campus. If you're honest with yourself though, you're probably tired because you stayed up until 3 am binge-watching Netflix - when you knew you had an 8:50 stats class. Don't worry, you'll do it tonight too!!
"This paper is due at midnight."
I usually hear this around 9:45 p.m.
Some of my greatest papers have been written an hour before they were due. College takes procrastination to a whole new level! The hour break I have between anatomy and speech class is enough time to write my English essay... right?
"I need to start going to the gym!"
They never make it there, though! If they do, it lasts about a week. Two if they're genuinely trying to get in shape.
Sooner or later, they'll convince themselves that walking from class to class is enough exercise. Next they'll assure themselves that yes, the entire bag of chips they devoured alone in their dorm last night was in fact, classified as a potato. Potatoes are vegetables, so they haven't broken their diet!
"I'm taking a break from boys/girls."
"I'm focusing on schoolwork," they insist.
The instant that hot frat guy she's been eyeing nods in her direction, she'll forget what she just said and smile back at him. Later she'll express that she really doesn't have to get a formal date, but the week before dates' names are due his name is next to hers.
"I'm broke!"
I envy anyone whose parents pay for college for them. Books alone (almost literally) broke me.
Still, the minute that paycheck hits my bank account, I consider depleting it by emptying the shopping carts I have open online at a million different stores. Better yet, I decide I need another set of letters and I find myself in line daily at Starbucks. No one reminds me that I should be saving for next semester's books - or that spring break trip I say I'm going on.
Through the ups and downs, college is just as fun as it is challenging. Just don't think about the thousands of dollars you're going to owe in loans when you graduate.
