Everyone says that high school is the best years of one’s life. For me, I missed out on my senior year of high school due to the coronavirus pandemic. Therefore, I was looking
forward to making college the best years of my life. After spending my first year of college at home and online, I was ready for change.
Everyone has a certain perception of college. I thought college would be like it is in the movies, this perfect world with a happy ending.
College is where tests turn into exams and teachers turn into professors. It’s as simple as that. College can be intimidating, but it depends on how you think of it. The experience is what you make of it.
Making friends is not easy, especially in today’s world. We wear masks and hardly get to know the people that sit next to us in our classes. In college, classes are half a year shorter than they are in high school. You also must remember that coming into college, you have had the same friends your whole life. You most likely haven’t had to make new friends in a while. Something I’ve learned is that you need to put yourself out there. I am not one to initiate a conversation, but college is as great a time as ever to step out of your comfort zone.
It is also likely that you will not have the same friends that you do in high school. Going to college, everyone goes their separate ways. You lose touch with those you thought were lifelong friends. It is safe to say that you will make new friends, it just takes time.
Unlike high school, not everyone at college knows who you are. I always think to myself that people are staring at me or judging me about whatever it is I’m doing. Honestly, people could care less about the things you’re doing; everybody does their own thing. There are going to be times when you must do things on your own, but you are not the only one.
When I was in high school, I thought everyone in college was living the life. Students have 1-3 classes a day and have so much free time. They also get to sleep in until noon if they schedule their classes that way.
Some of the best advice I’ve ever received is, “plan your work and work your plan”. College is all about managing your time. Although it may seem like you have all this free time, you shouldn’t procrastinate. It is important to make your schoolwork a priority.
Speaking of doing things other than schoolwork, college can sometimes seem like one big frat house. Personally, I am not one to go out and party. This may be confusing to some considering I attend Slippery Rock University. Again, what’s nice about college is that you get to choose your own experience. College doesn’t have to be all about partying if that’s not what you want.
This period of your life marks the start of adulthood. One big change for me going to college is that I didn’t have my support system close by. Sure, my family and friends were a phone call away, but it’s not the same. You’re going to miss home, that’s inevitable. My best advice is to keep yourself busy. If you’re busy, you won’t have time to think and dwell. Since you don’t have your support system, you also must learn to become independent. You are going to have to be accountable for yourself. I’m not saying that you can’t lean on others for support, but as I mentioned earlier, you’re going to have to do things on your own, but you aren’t the only one.
The important thing to remember is that everyone in college is in the same boat as you. Most of us have all lived in the same familiar, comfortable place for the past eighteen years of your life. I learned that college is all about growing up. Everyone can choose their own path, whether it includes college or not. It is the point in your life when you start making tough decisions and build a new path for yourself. There are so many good things about college. Keep an open mind to all the great possibilities. I hope my perception of transitioning from high school to college shares some of the realities that helped me with my adjustment.
Written By: Regan Johnson
Edited By: Crystal Lord