Moving into a new environment is typically not very fun. You get so used to the old that the thought of moving on becomes both exciting and worrisome. Butterflies flutter in your stomach as you wonder what lies ahead. And thus begins the transition into college life – a brand new face in a seemingly brand new world.
Freshman year is not something everyone looks forward to, and for good reason. Even if you hear great things about college, you’re still the new kid in class, which means you probably have certain hopes and fears about this new environment.
Like anything, college life has its ups and downs. Suffice it to say, not everything you hear about college is necessarily true. There are certain myths that need to be busted.
Myth 1 ± The workload is too intense
This is a legitimate concern for anyone entering a university. Because this is a university, students figure work is going to be far more difficult than their previous school experiences. Well, it can be, but it can also be a breeze. This depends on you and how much you are willing to take on. It’s all a matter of balancing your work and knowing your limits. The workload is what you make of it.
Myth 2 ± The professors are difficult and stringent
Because they have the word, “professor” attached to their names, it’s easy to see college professors as elderly, four-eyed grumps with no-nonsense attitudes and little patience for students. Naturally, every professor is different, some are more stringent than others and there will likely be professors you don’t care for. But, you’ll be hard-pressed to put them all in the same basket. Every professor has a different style – and every professor is here to help you.
Myth 3 ± Living on-campus will help you succeed
While living on-campus means you likely will be more connected to the university as well as what it offers outside of academics, it doesn’t guarantee success. Success isn’t based on circumstances, it’s based on you and your efforts. If you prefer to live off-campus – and you have the ability to do so – then seriously consider it. There’s nothing wrong with living on-campus, but it doesn’t work for everybody. As long as you put in the effort, you can succeed.
Myth 4 ± You’ll have complete freedom
While you certainly are on the path to obtaining more freedom as an individual, remember, you’re still in school. You can choose what path you want to take, but there are still requirements. There are certain courses you must take, rules to abide by and dedications you have to honor. But hey, it beats high school hands-down – especially considering you actually get a choice when it comes to food.
Myth 5 ± College will take forever
No, it won’t. Spending at least four years at a university seems daunting, but it’s far from that. It all goes by so quickly, you won’t know where it went by the time you graduate. Enjoy these years in college. It’s going to be a wild ride.
Andrew Jenson can be reached at [email protected]