As a current college senior, I've been doing my fair share of reflecting lately. Especially on my last four years of college. And honestly, with middle school and high school, your teachers spend hours on hours preparing you for the next grade-- but once you get to college, that isn't so much the case anymore.
Looking back on freshman year of college, I remember being TERRIFIED, and so anxious for what the next four years would bring. And I had no older friends to help me! It was awful!
So for the incoming college freshman, and even maybe the confused college sophomore or stressed college junior... here are the ten things about college that I had to learn the hard way, and that I wish someone had told me day one.
1. You have more free time.
It may not seem like it, but college is way different than being in a high school for seven hours a day, five days a week. Some days you don't even have class, other days you have class 10-11am and then you're done! You make your schedule and it's the greatest thing in the world.
2. It's not easy.
If anything, you have to work ten times harder in college since you're essentially teaching yourself the material on your own time in most cases. Exams are hard and nine times out of ten, exams and presentations (depending on your major) are the only things that make up your average. So if you bomb a test, you could be failing the class.
3. Not all majors are the same.
And with that, not all majors are the same. Whether you are a fashion major, or an engineering major, or even an education major... it takes dedication and hard work regardless.
Don't get me wrong, some days being an education major I would walk out of a lecture with nothing to do for the next class-- however, other times I needed to type a 40-page casework study in two days. Everyone works hard in their respective major, and we are all on that grind to get a degree no matter what our major is.
4. College IS harder than high school.
No matter what you hear in high school, college is ten times harder. Not only are the classes more in depth, but this is also your first time living on your own. So you're learning how to live without your family there for you every day and "adulting" all the while you're taking eighteen credits and working full time at the local coffee shop. You may not be sitting in a classroom for seven hours a day... but that doesn't mean you aren't working hard or busy during that downtime!
5. You value your family that much more.
Think about it.. you're going from being with your family EVERY DAY and constantly being involved in family activities to seeing them maybe once every few months, and missing out on things while you're at school. It's a big shift, and you learn to value that time you get to spend with them that much more since it's so much rarer. You can't take it for granted anymore, and you learn how important those relationships are to you in general.
6. You mature.
You grow up. You need to step up to the plate and start taking things on for yourself. Whether it be doing laundry, buying medicine, going grocery shopping... it's all on you now. You need to be the adult now, there's no more family to fall back on. It's you and only you. It's time to grow up.
7. College is STRESSFUL.
Like I said, college isn't easy. And to add to it, it's the first time you're really on your own. For many, this is the time where people who never even knew that they had anxiety or depression realize that they, in fact, have it. There are times where you will feel alone and like there's no one there for you.. but just know it's normal and you'll be okay.
8. Partying is not for everyone.
Believe me, I've gone out for my girl's nights and had my fair share of Vodka Crans... but I also love my quiet nights in watching Netflix on the couch. It's not necessary to go out every "Thirsty Thursday" to be included or have friends. Don't get me wrong, there are those people that will always be down for a party, but there's also that group of people who will always be down for a chill game night at home. College is about balance, and figuring out who you want to be.
9. Ratemyprofessors.com
The savior of all college classes-- a site for college students, by college students. Nothing is worse than having a crappy professor day one of the semester, especially when you can prevent that altogether by just typing your professor's name into the search bar and you can see all the reviews on them from past students. Why kill yourself with an awful lab professor when you can just pick a different section? I can't even tell you how many times RateMyProfessor has saved me from a terrible lecture. It's a lifesaver.
10. Transferring is normal.
People come into your life for a reason or a season... and similarly, you change and you grow. So where you decide to go to college now, might not be where you need to be a year from now. Don't think about transferring as a bad or negative thing, think about it as a choice you're making to better yourself and keep working towards your goals! There is nothing wrong with transferring schools, especially if the initial school you decide on just isn't the right fit for you.
Overall, college is all about self-growth and becoming the person you need to be in order to become successful throughout adulthood. So take it, and run with it! Don't get me wrong, college is fun and for many, we only have the experience once (unless you go back for more and/or higher degrees... you have to stay on that grind am I right?), so you have to make sure you take the time to enjoy it.
Because no matter how stressful or crazy things are right now, you're going to miss it... and that graduation day is going to come much sooner than you think. BELIEVE ME. So relax, and enjoy the experience... you'll make it I promise. You're going to do amazing things in this world regardless of your GPA.
Sincerely,
A college senior.
