College Life: Myth vs. Reality
I can’t count how many times my high school teachers told me, “We’re doing this to prepare you for college!” Of course, this phrase usually came after assigning a twelve-page paper, passing out an impossibly long test, or telling us another terrifying tale of frat parties gone awry. Although I’m honestly more than grateful for the help, I’m happy to say my first quarter at Seattle University has been a bit different from some of those expectations.
photo by Katie Weilbacher
What I expected: Drinking, drugs, and debauchery-and dull Friday nights for those of us who wanted no part.
What I got: While partying definitely happens and people are much more open about it than in high school, it’s not too hard to avoid that scene. I have spent some of my favorite nights checking out local art and music or tossing a frisbee at midnight. Parties are there for those who want it, but at my school, I don’t feel pressured. Find someone with similar interests or values to your own-and try to find them sooner rather than later.
What I expected: On-the-spot essays, just like my AP English class. Memorizing dates, just like in AP US History. Killer multiple choice, like every AP class I’ve ever taken.
What I got: There was so much more “busy work” in my AP classes than in any of my classes now. I “retook” the English composition class I tested out of, and while I did more work in the high school version, I’ve done more critical thinking in college. AP classes prepare you for tests and impart you with formulae, but they will never replace college-level discussions.
What I expected: A seat number instead of a name, math professors who teach in French, and absolutely no chance of getting above a C; college as a fearsome, loveless place.
What I got: My English professor occasionally sees me studying and asks what I’m up to, and most professors here check their e-mail more than students do. It does help to be at a smaller school. For some of my friends elsewhere, 400-person classes are indeed a reality, and getting to class can take some extra motivation. And A’s are much harder to score than they were in high school, so get used to the idea of C’s being average. But people really do want you to succeed. Every school has resources like tutoring, a writing center, or office hours, and professors actually are there to help.
What I expected: 50% of your grade: the final. The other 50%? The midterm.
What I got: Personally, I have weekly papers in English, several homework drills in Arabic, and three-not two-tests in Geology, not to mention a number of quizzes, projects and labs. It’s helpful, albeit a bit annoying. This isn’t the case for everyone, but just know that it’s possible.
What I expected: Fifteen more pounds and a caffeine dependency.
What I got: In spite of the aforementioned homework load and the rich Seattle café scene, I’m still not a coffee drinker. Personally speaking, becoming responsible for my own meal choices has made me more conscious of my eating habits, and I think I actually eat better at college than at home.
What I expected: Friday night concert, Saturday afternoon protest, Sunday morning at the art museum followed by cuisine from a country I’ve never even heard of. During the week, I’ll volunteer, take music lessons, and…
What I got: Honestly, besides the fact that I have no time for anything ever, this new and foreign environment still intimidates me a bit. To pull a line from Seattle’s own Postal Service (I know, I know), “I am a visitor here. I am not permanent.” Or am I? It’s hard to really invest in a community when small talk still starts with asking the other person’s hometown, and I’m still warming up. I think by next quarter it’ll hit me that I spend more time at school than in Colorado, and now that I understand my schedule better, I’m going to commit to really taking advantage of the location.
My college experience, though, is only my experience. The important thing to remember is that not everyone is the same. You can make these four years fearsome and loveless as many had led me to believe, or you can make it the time of your life, as many others had told me too. As you prepare, look out for what variables will affect your own college story, and don’t let the horror stories get to you.
College students: how do your expectations for college life stack up to your actual experiences? Leave a comment.
December 30th, 2008 at 1:16 am
I took a couple of years off after high school to travel and earn some money so I wouldn’t be completely poor so I expected going back into the routine of things to be harder, but definitely not as hard as my teachers in high school made it sound. Not exactly easier, but not difficult either, but then again I didn’t particularly like high school, and so far I love college, the classes, the environment ,the people, much better for me than I found in high school. As far as that number thing goes, it must depend on what kind of student you are, and of course how big your school is, but all of my profs know me by name, and are always conversational, more than what I can say I faced in high school.
Anyway, for me college life is way better, and you learn something much more interesting and relevent.
December 30th, 2008 at 5:06 am
Great write-up…I was on my undergrad campus today (Ohio State) and it really took me back to all the great times. I would have to say my experience was similar to what you described in this blog…except for the caffeine dependency. A habit I developed in my undergrad years that is still going strong! In fact, I walked past the place where I had my first latte…why I remember that, I have no idea.
In my opinion everything you ever wanted is within reach at college. You just need to reach for it.
December 30th, 2008 at 5:55 am
That’s good stuff you’ve found out. I know for a fact that in my college experience there is very little that is the college life that I’ve come to expect to be the norm… but I love every single moment of it, so it really is up to the student to make college what it is. Heck, that’s the same for all of life, isn’t it?
Just one thing that amused me, though - the 50% midterm 50% final class… I had one of those. It was a philosophy class (Philosophy of Biology) and it was great stuff - tough as nails, but amazingly thought-provoking and informative.
I find that the most significant component of my enjoyment comes from the people I’m with. I found a family in the fraternity I pledged with and they’ve been good to me. Oddly enough I was more or less against greek life, but my brothers found me and showed me a life that I did not expect from the Greek community… a life that is full of intellectual challenges, and actual brotherhood, you know? I think a lot of colleges have the stereotypical “frats” and such, but they also have the groups that are so… amazing that it’s worth it to try and sort through the bulls@*% to get to the good stuff.
December 30th, 2008 at 2:51 pm
My college experience as a nontrad is that I can be a freak show sometimes. I can relate more to my profs (many who are my age or within ten years of my age) than my classmates. Because I also work fulltime, it’s often difficult to meet for group projects. Many of my classmates (and profs) are stunned when they find out I have three almost-grown children (21, 19 and 17). The two oldest are in college themselves.
I told my college-aged sons that college is what you make of it and there are more choices than high school. The youngest son is having a blast at UTC and the oldest is almost finished at Berea College. The oldest has taken advantage of many wonderful opportunities and has gotten a great education. The youngest is only a freshman, so this is all new (and socially wonderful!) to him.
I love being on campus, learning, studying and late nights at the library with my grande decaf mocha latte, no whip. My classmates make me laugh, though, because they stress out over the most insignificant things. I just want to tell them, “Chill, Dude! You’ll be fine!!”
December 30th, 2008 at 4:29 pm
What I expected: something easier than college eng (taken in HS)
What I got: easier papers; also easier to put off
What I expected: annoying, over-religious roomate
What I got: a roomy who was never in and spoke Spanish more than English… later, she left the dorm, because we both fit better in our own rooms.
What I expected: really strict rules
What I got: some rules, I am not so sure I completely agree with, but I understand most of them.
What I expected: Religion being shoved down my throat like I wouldn’t believe
What I got: OK, that one isn’t far off, but it has actually done me some good
What I expected: good cafeteria food (or semi-good) and gaining weight
What I got: food that’s usually really greasy, spicy, or both and lost weight for not eating
What I was told: I would be addicted to coffee.
What I got: Still don’t like coffee (same as you hee hee)
Yeah… so that’s from a Christian University Student’s POV… I do have a teacher who likes to say you have an opinion and then makes sure you form it to his. And in the College Comp, the work is only easier for me, because I can be more creative, but the research paper is still quite difficult.
June 11th, 2010 at 1:35 pm
As far as that number thing goes, it must depend on what kind of student you are, and of course how big your school is, but all of my profs know me by name, and are always conversational, more than what I can say I faced in high school.
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