Everyone has preconceived notions of college before they go. The films are full of them, your older siblings feed them to you to freak you out. But most of what people think college is like isn't actually the case. Yeah, every myth has a basis in reality, but then fantasy takes hold of that reality and makes it more daunting. Don't be afraid of college folks, not everything you hear is true.
1. The Freshman 15 is inevitable.
Along with fees and late night studying, many students believe that by the mere act of moving out for college will make you gain those feared 15 pounds. Not so much. Well, if you spend everyday eating fast food and buying ready meals you're going to pile on the pounds. Why not teach yourself how to cook yourself dinner with YouTube tutorials or your mum. Buy fruit and maybe skip the bus every once in a while and walk to college instead. There are loads of ways to keep yourself at a healthy weight in college. It is not inevitable that you'll gain weight. In fact, with all the stress and lack of sleep you might even lose weight. Just look after yourself. You're in college now, no one else will.
2. You have to buy all the books, at full price, from the college bookshop.
Certain professors will spout this line but really it isn't necessary. You can probably get the books you need in the library, or buy them second hand, or borrow them off a friend. You may not even need the book in the first place or could share one with a mate. Often, some professors will list their own book on the recommended reading list, maybe to boost their own sales and make themselves look that much better to the university they're working for? Don't spend all your money on books that you'll never want or need after your degree, its not worth it.
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3. You won't have any fun if you don't drink.
So not true. Sure drinking is a huge part of the college lifestyle. But its not the be-all and end-all. It is totally possible to enjoy yourself and be sober at a party. You can make fun of all the drunk people, doesn't that sounds like a great time? Not all college events revolve around drinking either: film festivals and dramas are usually more fun when you can tell whats going on and you're not distracted by your own drunkenness. If you feel uncomfortable not drinking and don't want people to know you aren't, get yourself a soda instead so people won't say anything. If they do then just remind them that if they need to drink to make their life interesting, then their life must be boring as fuck.
4. Everyone has tons of sex and relationships.
Often people believe that they have to lose their virginity before they go to college (thank you every single 90's college flick ever made). But that's not the case. Everyone is at a different stage sexually in college. You won't be attending college with people who are just your own age fresh from secondary school. There'll be mature students and maybe even people who are brilliant but skipped a few classes so they're like five years younger than you. Don't assume that its imperative for you to have every single sexual experience in college. Experience what you want with someone who wants to do the same with you. Have fun, and wear protection.
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5. Professors are really hard to talk to.
This actually can be true. Some people are just not that sociable. However, if you've chosen to take a professor's lecture course or seminar class you're actually helping them out. If no one takes their class then the college scraps it. They want, and need, people who are going to do well and are enthusiastic about the course content. You already have something in common with them, i.e. interest in the same subject, it can't be that difficult to talk about that subject with them. Often professors have office hours which they allocate for students who want to come and talk to them.
6. In order to do well you have to live in the library.
You can study perfectly well at home. I myself found the library in my college very intimidating. Sure I enjoyed going there to get books or whatever but it wasn't very welcoming to me. People in there were either freaking out about their deadlines or not caring in the slightest and were updating their Facebook feed. I took out the books I needed and got out the hell out of there and I did fine. Yes it can be difficult for some to study anywhere but there. Do what suits you: study outside, in the canteen, at a local coffee shop, in a reading room, wherever! You can still do well.
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7. College is one big party.
College is a hell of a good time, but then you also have to write essays and complete assignments and do exams. None of those things are fun. In college you have to learn to juggle your lifestyle to fit in the partying, the course load and maybe even societies, clubs and a part-time job. That can lead to a whole load of stress and partying is a great way to loosen yourself up. Just don't spend all your time partying and none of your time studying, balance is key.
8. Students are lazy and sleep all day.
If only that were true. If we could then we would but then no one would earn a degree. Students do not have the option of sleeping all day when they have classes and assignments due. Even if they put off assignments until the week before deadline they often have to do a couple all-nighters in order to get the work done. Truth be told, college students probably need more sleep, and less caffeine, than they are getting.
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9. You don't have to go to class.
You actually do have to go to class, its just no one is going to make you go. You're in charge of your education in college. Not every lecturer is going to take attendance but some do. Those that do often take it on random days and then count your attendance towards your final grade in an attempt to try to make students go. Doesn't always work. Its not to hard to forge a mate's name after all. Chances are you won't feel like its a big deal that you missed a couple lectures until the day of your exam when a question comes up that you don't have an answer for. But hey you studied yourself and you'll be fine right? I'd say do yourself a favour and attend those classes that you are paying thousands for. You might even learn something interesting.
10. If you live with your friends you'll end up hating each other.
Living with people lets you see who they truly are, what they are really like behind closed doors. It can make or break friendships sure, but not all friendships fail that test. I lived with two great friends of mine in college and I still consider them to be among my favourite people. You might not always get along but as long as you understand that everyone needs their own space every once in a while, your friendships can survive. Even through those most trying times, like someone not picking their towel up off the ground or stealing your milk.
11. College is harder/easier then secondary school.
Actually its neither, its just different. In secondary school a lot of emphasis is placed on individual work but in college there are more group projects and presentations. There is no homework just exams or end of the semester assignments. The work is different, no one is going to make you do it. You will not be reprimanded if you don't complete the work, you'll just fail. You can't talk yourself out of a failing grade in college. Professors will not just accept any excuse. Often assignments have to be submitted by a certain time onto an online server. If the internet is down, that is not their problem. Its yours.
