As I enter the middle of second semester of sophomore year, I have come to learn some new things about college that nobody warned me about. So as a favor to everyone else, I will share some of these discoveries with you so that you are prepared for your college journey.
1. College is Financially Scary
Yes, I knew when applying to college there would be a big financial responsibility. I was fully prepared to pay that money in order to attend the college of my choice. But here is what they don’t warn you:
THIS IS AN EVERY SEMESTER PAYMENT
In high school, money was for fun weekend outings with friends. In college, that whole flow of money changes from not just being to pay for school but also to go out on the weekends, go out for dinner when dining hall food is gross, or to pay for groceries and gas.
2. People Leave
I chose my college based on the advisor of the elementary education program. I sat and shadowed in a class that she taught and she told me I could be a great teacher. Throughout my freshman year, I formed a really strong relationship with her that consisted of me crying in her office, her celebrating me getting a job, and many recommendation letters. She was a main factor in my decision to attend. Beginning the second semester of my sophomore year, she sent out a notice that she would be leaving for a new job. I was crushed. The new job is perfect for her and is a great opportunity but the jealousy came in as I thought “What about me and the other students who came here for her?” “What are we going to do now?”
What they don’t warn you:
THE PEOPLE YOU THOUGHT WOULD BE THERE ALL FOUR YEARS… AREN’T ALWAYS GOING TO BE.
3. Everything is Not What You Expected
I came to college knowing I wanted to study elementary education. But then something changed. I started doubting if it was all really worth it. Can I really manage a classroom of 20+ kids? Do I really know how to teach the alphabet to children? I’m not even good at math, why should I teach it! In high school you have easy outlets. I had show choir and church leadership team. I was given easy ways to get involved. In college, they don’t tell you that
IT IS NOT ALWAYS AS SIMPLE AS THAT
I joined the Mission Team (church group) at school thinking it’d be similar to what I did back home. It’s not. I joined choir thinking it would be as populated as my choir back home. It wasn’t. College adds a new challenge of really finding what you want to be involved with and what you really do want to do after the four years are over.
4. A Love-Hate Relationship is Formed
Back in the good old high school days, all you could dream about was winter break. A chance to take a week away from school and homework and a busy schedule. Once college hits everything changes. The countdown for winter break begins roughly two months before the actual start of break. The buildup is totally worth the long wait and then finally it arrives. WINTER BREAK! A full month off of school with no homework, no projects, no school commitments to worry about. That’s the love of break.
But what they don’t warn you about college:
ONE MONTH IS A LONG TIME
After about three weeks, you start to become bored of being home. The freedoms you had in college are now cut down when living under the parent’s roof. The thing that occupies your time is work in order to make money for that semester bill (see number one). But then the break ends and you sadly have to leave home and all of its comfort and good food and excitedly retun to school.
5. Common Curtesy is Lost
I live in a dorm with 64 girls. That is a lot of hormones floating around the building. I grew up with two brothers. I am used to messy spaces and gross bathrooms and loud noises so when I came to live in an all-girls dorm, I thought finally a cleaner bathroom and quiet hours. But what they don’t warn you is:
NOBODY FOLLOWS COMMON CURTESY
I learned how to plunge a toilet, I have learned how to clean my hair out of the shower, and I have learned how to pick up my paper towels from the floor when I miss the trash can. I shouldn’t have to spend an additional 3 minutes of my “shower time” having to clean out other girl’s long hair from the shower walls and drain. I shouldn’t have to walk into the bathroom to see a toilet overflowing with some other girl’s business. I also should not be able to hear your music from inside my room as you take a shower across the hall. I also should not be able to hear your music DURING QUIET HOURS through the wall.
