College life can be depicted in a variety of ways, whether it be through TV shows, movies, or some crazy story your mom told you about her college years. Everyone’s experience is different, but don’t let that discourage you! You may have an ideal of how you want your college experience to be, but sometimes your expectations may not match reality. Here are just a few common expectations of college life vs. the reality of college life.
1. Expectation: “I won’t need to change my major!”
Some students come into college with the impression that the major they enter with will be the one they leave with. There are some students that feel like they have their lives planned out from start to finish.
Reality: The truth is, our opinions can change over time. In the moment, you may think, “This is what I want to do.” Though this may be true for some, it is quite the opposite for many! Our interests tend to change, and when you get to college and begin classes, some of you may soon realize that the major you initially chose was not the one for you. This realization may happen sooner than others, and that’s completely okay! It’s normal to have second thoughts. Your career should be something that you genuinely enjoy, so don’t force it!
2. Expectation: “Me and my roommate will be best-friends!”
Having a roommate can be fun! Many view it as an “immediate friend” on campus because your roommate will likely be the first person you meet. Some people prefer company rather than living alone. There’s a chance that you and your roommate will instantly click, and you may realize that you share a lot of similarities!
Reality: There is definitely potential to be good friends with your roommate, but that’s not always the case. It’s possible that you and your roommate will be able to share the space without problem, but that doesn’t mean you’ll be close buddies. Some campuses don’t give you a questionnaire in order to match you with a roommate that fits your preferences. So don’t be surprised if you end up with that messy roommate whose loud snores you’ll end up using as an alarm clock.
3. Expectations: “The friends I meet the first day will be my lifelong friends.”
Some believe that the first people they meet will be the ones who stick by them all year. If you’re what some may call a “social butterfly,” then making friends may be easy for you. It’s possible to click with someone on the first day, but does that mean you’ll stick by each other all year round? No.
Reality: It’s true that you’ll meet a lot of people when you come to campus. But every single person you meet will not be part of your friend group. It’s harder and takes longer for some people to make friends, and that’s completely okay! You don’t have to rush the process. You will find the right people with time. It’s important that you remain true to yourself and don’t try to change yourself to fit in.
