Surviving College Life

College: An Introduction

August 22nd, 2007 Jamie

So, you’re about to start college. You’re excited. You’re scared. And you’re not really sure what you’re in for. I guess that’s part of the fun—especially if you’re living away from home for the first time.

So, what’s college really like?

It’s active. It’s social. It’s independent. Like a lot of things, it’s about balance. You have to balance between work and play, friends and studies, homesickness and excitement, family life and independence.

In a lot of ways, it is probably the biggest jump into adulthood you’ve made yet. You’d be surprised how hard it is to get yourself to eat three solid meals a day (my freshman year my roommate and I ate a whole pint of ice cream every night… Not the best idea). Oh, yeah, and do you know how to do laundry? That’s a whole adventure in itself.

It can also be one of the most exhilarating times of your life. You get the opportunity to step out on your own—mom and dad don’t get your report cards, you choose your schedule and your classes, you can stay up until all hours of the night (or at least until your roommate freaks out and tells you to get to sleep). You will meet a multitude of new people, and have opportunities to find out where your passions lie.

You will also have to study harder than you ever have before, but don’t worry—you’ll get the hang of it. It just takes some time to get used to things.

And that’s true for the entire college experience—even if you feel a little homesick or out of place at first, it doesn’t mean you won’t enjoy it later. Just relax and give yourself some time to adjust. It sounds a little cheesy, but college really is all what you make of it.

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• What to Pack in Your “First Night in the Dorms” Bag
• What Happens at College Freshman Orientation?
• What to Know about the First Week (or so…)
• What to Expect from College Classes
• 5 Reasons Why Office Hours are Your New Best Friend

Entry Filed under: academics, social life, what to expect