Why is college really better?

For me, I wasn’t one of those kids that thought high school was going to be the best time of my life. In fact, I remember using the term “senioritis” as a second semester sophomore in high school. My motivation and drive wasn’t directed the same way as a lot of people my age. I constantly wanted to learn, but didn’t get perfect grades because I wasn’t as interested as I could’ve been. I wanted to be out in the “real world” figuring out my careers and goals. I even had a few friends tell me I was too ambitious to have a boyfriend in high school. Like most high school students, I filled my days with extra-curriculars: band, choir, cheerleading (competitive for a little while), ballet, pointe, student council, etc. I was restless, wanting to get on with my life and career, escaping hierarchy of my small private school. I heard the magical whispers of college life: finding people with similar beliefs and interests, being exposed to other ideas, no curfew, parties, Greek life, and organizations.

But what is the real reason to me that college is better than high school?

It’s because you see just how human everyone else in the world is, and this eye-opening lesson has taught me to be more empathetic. In high school, you leave school, go home and see everyone else’s life on social media looking polished by a Valencia filter and witty caption (guilty.) You don’t see your friends and fellow students working through tasks and day to day challenges. It can be hard to find an emotional connection to friends this way, or feel empathy towards them if all you see is the glimpse of their lives on Instagram. You don’t have nearly as many opportunities to see how everyone is in the same boat, struggling with the same issues. This was a bit disheartening in high school, seeing other people who seemingly had all their ducks in a row and their lives planned out. Looking back, this was not the case.

Now that I’ve been at a university for almost two years, I’ve come to appreciate all the things listed.

I learned that just because you have similar interests with someone, it doesn’t make them a perfect match for you in regards to friendships or relationships.

I learned how to approach new and different ideas after transitioning from a school where almost everyone’s thought process and world views are the same.

I learned that despite having no curfew, sleep is a necessity and multiple alarms set on my iPhone are a blessing from the gods above.

This statement goes hand in hand with the sleep statement. Parties and get-togethers are a great way to unwind after a rough week, but on the other hand, I've learned that it’s okay to leave early or stay in if need be. On the other other hand, I've learned that usually when I don't want to go hang out with friends or experience something new, it's usually just nerves and I end up having a blast.

I’ve gotten to meet so many people through my major and dorm life, and although my schedule doesn’t allow me to rush, I’ve gotten to know a lot of great people involved in Greek life.

This statement applies especially to those who live in dorms or Greek housing, but can be seen other places on campus too. If you’re overwhelmed with homework in your study room at the dorm, chances are there’s someone else who can relate to you. If you’re going through a rough time in a friendship or relationship, there could be someone right next door to empathize with you. You will experience on a much closer level how fragile yet precious friendships and relationships are, and just how uplifting a smile or small talk in an elevator can be. I’m not saying that you should look for everyone else’s issues and flaws to feel better, but it can be comforting to know that everyone around you in the same boat. All of us are college kids trying to figure out how to navigate the next chapter of our lives, and I am hoping that this realization that I had will remind me to be more empathetic, smile more in elevators, and go through the rest of my college career with no filter.