So you (finally!) graduated from high school and you’re getting ready to make the big transition into college life. Everyone you talk to tells you how excited you must be to begin the best four years of your life, and you've grown up watching TV shows and movies that portray college life as one big party. People have a tendency to make college seem like it’s all fun and games… but what nobody really mentions is this:
The classes are more challenging.
In high school, you may have been able to simply do some homework here or there and look over a some notes a few minutes before a test, and you could still end up with a pretty good grade. Do not expect it to be this way in college. The professors expect more out of you, so you really have to get serious and dedicate yourself to make good grades. I’m talking hours and hours of studying (yeah, it sucks).
You won’t have as much free time as you expect.
This was probably the biggest surprise for me. Even though you aren’t sitting at a desk for most of the day like you were in high school, it’s crazy how busy you will still find yourself! You will have other commitments like: meetings for organizations you’re involved in, appointments with advisors or professors, jobs, and the previously mentioned hours and hours of studying.
You will appreciate your family even more.
Maybe you and your mom or dad got into arguments at least once a week, and maybe your siblings annoyed you 99% of the time, but chances are you will miss them when you go off the college. You will realize that your family really is your support system, and you will find yourself reaching out to them when something exciting happens or when life gets hard.
You might not be as close with your hometown friends.
With a million things going on in your life and miles between you and your old hometown friends, staying in touch isn’t impossible, but it isn’t easy. And even if some of your friends do go to school with you, or you go to school close to home, there will be so many new people to meet and new experiences to be had that there’s a chance you might grow in different directions. These friendships probably won’t be completely lost, but you may find that you and your hometown BFF aren’t as close as you once were.
College is so, so expensive.
The whole “broke college kid” thing exists for a reason. Whether it’s dropping hundreds on textbooks, thousands on tuition, racking up on dorm necessities, or spending way too much money on snacks for your dorm room, college comes with a price. Gone are the days your parents cook for you, take you shopping, and buy the groceries.
So college seems pretty horrible now, right? Don’t worry, the pros far outweigh the cons because…
YOU WILL HAVE THE TIME OF YOUR LIFE.
College is no walk in the park. It can be stressful, overwhelming, challenging, and hectic. But along the way you will meet so many awesome people, have some amazing opportunities, and learn how to be happily independent. College is a once in a lifetime experience, and once it’s over, it’s gone for good. So enjoy it while you can and make some lasting memories, because they’re right about this: it’s going to be the best four years of your life.
