Going to college is said to be the best time of your life (well, supposed to be at least). I mean they said the same thing about high school and wasn’t that the biggest lie ever told. However, if you’re staying in the city, studying in Toronto is not your average college experience. These are 10 struggles of studying in the 6ix!
1. COMMUTING.
I can’t stress enough about how bad the TTC is, and I’m sure everyone in the whole damn city agrees with me. Toronto’s subway system certainly doesn’t have an amazing reputation. With the constant delays and the number of cases of TTC workers failing random drug tests, it’s hard to call the TTC reliable in any way. Commuting during rush hour is definitely not pretty. Nothing is worse than when you’re stuck on a train during a delay while you’re trying get to class. That’s cool, it’s not like I’m in a rush or anything. Not like I have a test to write. Oh wait.
2. Spending your OSAP money on everything but school.
Student loans sound great at first, but when you’re given money to spend, of course you can’t help but spend it on things you want but don’t need. Living in the heart of the city is as dangerous as it gets. Let’s face it, when you pay back OSAP, you’re really paying back for your daily lattes from Starbucks and that cute top from ZARA rather than your textbooks. Seriously, get ready to go broke if you’re living in the city.
3. Running across the city just to get to your next class.
While going to school in the city has its perks since we’re right in the middle of everything, it can also have its downside. If you go to UofT or Ryerson, you’ll know what a pain it can be having back to back classes considering all of our buildings are pretty much spread out across the city. Given only 10 minutes to get to my next class, running from the Rogers Communications Centre to the Ted Rogers Building and up the elevators can be a mission, especially in the winter.
4. The lack of social life and parties.
You’d think that living in the city would do your social life a huge favour, but you’d be wrong. It’s actually pretty hard to keep up with a social circle. Since majority of students are commuting from outside the city, many people tend to head straight home or to their part-time job right when classes are done. People are constantly walking by with their busy lives, so it can be hard to really get a chance to socialize. We don’t get the typical college frat parties you see in Hollywood rom-coms, so nightlife in the 6ix might be a bit of a letdown.
5. What’s a snow day?
If you attend schools in the city like Ryerson and UofT, there’s no such thing as a snow day. Living in the city means you keep moving on with your lives like nobody else’s business, and the city stops for no one. Toronto is such a busy city so everyone is used to the everyday hustle and bustle no matter what happens. Snowstorms are certainly no exception. The school itself might never close, but you might get lucky if your professor is nice enough to send you an e-mail telling you that class is cancelled. Most do, because let’s face it. Not even your professor wants to deal with this crap and make the trip.
6. So. many. people. every. where.
Obviously, there’s people everywhere. Especially if we’re in a city. But when I say there’s people everywhere, I mean EVERYWHERE. The chances of you running into someone you had bad blood with or a terrible Tinder date with is pretty high.
Slow walkers who have no idea where they’re going will be the end of me. Seriously, get out of my way and KEEP WALKING. Get off your phone. I don’t think I will ever understand how one can live in a city and walk without a purpose. And FYI, in case you needed a reminder, don’t stand on the left side of the escalator if you’re not going to walk. Move to the right. Spread the word, because it’s 2017 and people still aren’t getting it apparently.
7. Figuring out what to eat.
Being surrounded by so many options, what can go wrong? Well if you’re indecisive like me, this can be bit of an issue especially if you only have half an hour until your next class. There’s so much variety other than McDonald’s, but sometimes when you just don’t have the time or money, you don’t really have a choice other than McDonald’s.
8. Balancing work and play.
If you think you can handle a few drinks on a Thursday night at Sneaky Dee’s and make it for your 9AM class the next day, you’re wrong.
9. Those plans you made with your friends for the weekend probably aren’t happening.
Even if you guys plan 2 weeks ahead, someone is bound to bail last minute. It’s frustrating but it always happens. I mean that’s why they’re your friends, right?
10. Finding a job.
We’re all stressed about our future, and we’re all dreading the day we graduate only to not get a job right after. Then what? Even now, it’s hard to find a job because every field is getting more and more competitive, and a degree doesn’t mean much these days. Being in the city, there should be a lot of opportunities but this makes it all the more challenging because of competition and qualifications. LinkedIn and Facebook groups will be your best friend. Someone please hire me.
Do you have any other struggles of studying in the 6ix!? Share in the comments below!
Featured Image: weheartit
