Throughout your four years in college, there are many things you will learn rather it being the easy way or the hard way. You slowly develop into the person that you will be for the rest of your life. Some things about you will change, and some things will remain. College is way more than just four years of "education." It has a lot of things to offer, but it does not come free by any means.
Here's what college has to offer to you:
1. Development of your future career
Going to college creates a path of success within itself. It will allow you to have higher paying jobs and you will be able to move towards an upper-level job. With a degree behind your name, employers will notice you first, and you will probably receive greater benefits within that job. Over 70% of employees with a four-year college degree have been covered by their employers through health insurance compared to less that 50% of non-college graduates.
2. Life-long friendships
From your all-night study sessions to clubs and organizations you are involved in, you will meet people that will soon become your best friends. Let's face it, college is stressful and you can't go through it alone. It is easy to meet people because you are all going through the same type of things with the new experience of "college." The good thing about the friends you meet in college is that it is a new friendship. Maybe you had a tough time in high school with friends or so called friends so this gives you an opportunity to have a fresh start. It is also nice to meet people from different states or towns because you get more diversity.
3. FREEDOM
This is college and you are now on your own! After all these years of having a curfew and being watched by your parents constantly, you finally get to step out and do your own thing. You get to do your homework when you want (if you even do it) and you can even have a sleepover every night in your dorm room. It is everything you cracked it up to be until you realize you miss your "nagging" mom and end up calling her twice daily.
And here's what you have to offer to college:
1. Weight gain
As you get older, your body transforms into a mature form. You will notice how your body changes slowly but surely. Rather it is the famous "freshman fifteen," or five pounds, at some point, you will gain weight. College is stressful and when we stress we eat. You will crave chocolate and Taco Bell at weird hours of the night, maybe even at the same time. When you are in high school, it is easy to eat whatever you want and not gain weight because you are active in so many different sports throughout the year. If you keep those same eating habits, it won't be long, before you notice your pants don't fit. Also, growing up, you have quality home cooked meals. In college, you eat when you can and as fast as you can.
2. Lack of sleep
When you get to college, you'll realize that you wish for those precious Kindergarten naps that you skipped to come back to you. Right when you feel like you have some down time to just relax, you remember another assignment that is due the next day. You will learn how to stay up all night and discover your caffeine limits. The days that you get to sleep in will become your most prized possession. Always remember, set more than five alarms every morning!
3. Hard work and dedication
We all made it through high school often times finding ourselves soaring through classes not having to study at all. Once you come to college, you will find out that you can't get away by not studying. If you want to grasp any new information or concepts, you're going to have to study and put in time. The material that is given to you will soon be over your head and you will have so many different questions, just stay dedicated and don't get down on yourself.
