Every parent I talked to before heading off to college said the same thing: enjoy it because time will fly! I smiled and told them I appreciated the advice, but I couldn't comprehend how right they all were until first semester started coming to an end. I still feel like I just got here, but now I've got a couple of months of college under my belt, and I can confidently say that college life is much superior to high school life. Here are my top 10 reasons why.
1. The freedom. In high school, I had parents, teachers and other adults who were constantly checking on me and seeing what I was doing. Once I got to college, I was able to spend the day how I wanted to.
2. The people. This is the last time that we will be around this many people in our age group in our lifetime. While this was the same in earlier years of school, college opens the world up to people with all sorts of backgrounds and interests that you never would've met in your hometown high school.
3. The sports. This is my favorite. It was great growing up and watching UNC play on TV, but now I get to be in the stands cheering them on at Kenan Stadium and at the Dean Dome and get rowdy with my fellow students.
4. The atmosphere. Going to sports games, walking around campus, eating at the dining are all things that you do at college that just have a special feel when you're at a university that you don't get when walking around in your high school building.
5. Late-night food runs. While these may contribute to the freshman 15, late-night food runs are some of the best times to bond with friends and make some new ones, too. In high school no one is trying to get food at 2 a.m.
6. Living situation. I feel like many will disagree with me, but I love dorm life. I miss my family a lot, but it's awesome being around people the same age as you. You get to be around people all the time and have people right there to go do stuff with. If you have a terrible roommate, though, this can be the worst part about college.
7. The opportunities. In high school most of the opportunities you have are for clubs that just boost your chances of getting in college, but once you're in college, it's easier to find clubs and services that can actually make a difference in the world. Internships, community service, and fundraising opportunities are all over campus.
8. The professors. In college you are being taught by some of the brightest minds in your field. They know their stuff and you have the opportunity to get a great education. Some of my favorite teachers have been from middle school and high school, but the education I'm getting now is beyond anything I could've imagined with these amazing professors.
9. No strict routine. This goes with more freedom but deserves a spot of its own. Gone are the days of getting up at the exact same time every day and going through the exact same motions every day. The same old routine wore me out in high school, and the spontaneity of a day in college life makes it way more interesting.
10. Lastly, personal development. This is the biggest difference for me between high school and college. In college, you're exposed to so many different people, interests, and opportunities. You can find people who love what you love, and people who love something that you end up loving because of them. You learn to take care of yourself, to become a true self-reliant human being.
College is a lot more fun than high school, but it also teaches and develops us in a way that I could have never imagined.
