8 Myths About College You Should Be Aware Of
There are many myths about college that circulate around. I know that when I first started, I expected for college to be exactly like how I saw it on TV, but that was not the case. I am here to share some of the things that I learned along the way that I was not expecting.
1. Less class time, less work
This might have just been me, but I used to see students that didn’t have class on Fridays and only took four classes thinking, “Wow, that would be so nice having all that free time!” Little did I know, those people only had that free time because they were not doing what they were supposed to.
Although you will find that you re not actively in class as much as you were in grade school, you still have a good deal of work. Homework usually will compensate for the difference, if not exceed, the amount of hours you had to work in grade school. If you enjoy what you are majoring in, this will not be a problem for you
2. Attendance no longer counts because we’re adults
For me, the most dangerous myths about college are the ones that boast the status of adulthood. There are some classes where attendance counts as a grade or where the professor may give pop quizzes that act like attendance, but there are a great deal of classes where that isn’t the case.
What is dangerous about that myth is that because you are considered adults, you are treated as such. It is assumed that you will be grown enough to be prepared and responsible, so although attendance may not be taken, if you are not present, receiving the information, you are going to struggle and maybe even fail.
So in short, attendance might not be taken, but it is definitely important. Think of it this way, your professors are not sitting there for an hour and a half to teach themselves information that they already know, so you probably should go.
3. College isn’t for everyone
I don’t know if this is more so one of the myths about college or a rare circumstance. It is definitely true that college is not the ticket to happiness and success, but if you are not going to go that route, it is even more important to figure out your life plan.
The workforce has become increasingly competitive, so job applicants need to bring a great deal of expertise to their field. So, if you know that college is not your route, be extremely thoughtful about how you plan to proceed, because as unfair as it an be, degrees give the heir of expertise, so you need to be sure that you can prove that you have done that work on your own.
4. Debt shmet
Schools don’t usually provide courses to young students about managing finances and what debt can really mean. Racking up student debt is not wise to do. It is always a good idea to go into college trying to find scholarships and assistance that can help you to not have to take out as many loans.
The idea that school debt is something to think about after you leave, is one of those myths about college that can have lasting affects. It is hard to start out your career already buried in debt, so do yourself a favor and be mindful from the start.
5. There are still cool kids
I can’t speak for smaller schools or community colleges, but as for universities, the whole high school hierarchy is not a thing. If your school is big in sports, that could give some players notable recognition, but for the most part, universities are too big for that. Every group of people can have their well known person, but it will be hard to find a Mean Girls situation.
6. College will solve everything
On the flip side of college isn’t for everyone, there are people who think that simply getting through college will guarantee success once thy graduate. It does not work that way, you have to put yourself out there and promote yourself so that employers notice you. Think about it, everyone in your major at your school and all of the other students that have majored in that, will all be trying to find work.
You all won’t be going for the same jobs, but employers cannot possibly search for everyone so a great deal is done by applicants who are seeking out work. Don’t start to create unnecessary competition between you and others, but be mindful that you are not the only person trying to do what you want to do, so find out how you can stand out.
7. I’ll figure out what I want to do eventually
This isn’t just one of the myths about college, but can be extended into life. Thought with no action is meaningless. It is completely fine to not have it all figured out, but the last thing that you want to do is still keep changing your mind in your junior year. I knew someone who changed their mind four times and with all of the classes they had to take, they were in school for three extra years, and had tons of student debt. College is too expensive and hard to take it that lightly, so be thoughtful in your decisions.
8. Living on campus is the best thing ever
Don’t get me wrong, I really enjoyed living on campus, but it isn’t the best option for everyone. For one, you have to abide by school rules and that even means periodic fire drills. There are regulations of what you can and can’t have, and on occasion, some dorms restrict the amount of guests you can have and how long they can stay. That isn’t a huge disadvantage, but something to consider if you value complete autonomy.
