Middle school is the typical age where many pre-teens begin changing, developing, and discovering themselves. Many girls begin wearing makeup and learning how to utilize a real bra whereas boys get into a manly athletic phase and the cracking of their voices are too embarrassing to hide. Many think that middle school was our most awkward phase in life, and while I will admit and agree that yes I regret coming to school with glitter eyelids and crimped hair, I will have to agree to disagree that college is actually the most awkward time of our lives. Keep in mind that the definition of "awkward" is "causing difficulty; hard to do or deal with" or "causing or feeling embarrassment or inconvenience". Now wouldn't you say college is pretty difficult, hard to deal with, rather embarrassing a lot of times, and so inconvenient?
That's what I thought.
1. Experiencing the dorm life
While dorm life is exhilarating, interesting, kinda gross, uncomfortable, interesting (this list could go on)... wouldn't you say that living in the dorms was probably one of the most awkward times ever? Like is my roommate going to be my soul mate or what? Communal bathrooms? Am I supposed to walk down the hall way in just a towel? Or GREAT, I can hear everything that is going on next door.. Or can they hear what's going on in my room" (whoops)?
2. The "walk of shame"
Truthfully there is nothing to be embarrassed about when doing this infamous "walk of shame" back to your dorm room. It's college, you had quite the night, so what? But let's be real sometimes you are walking back half dressed, makeup smeared across your face, and you look like you don't own a hairbrush... it can get pretty embarrassing. Especially when your college lover for the night lived across campus from you, now that walk back is pretty INCONVENIENT.
Probably how we look when our roommate opens the door..yikes.
3. Living on your own
Now that your underclassmen years of living in the dorms are over, you have ventured out into your first house or apartment with your BFF's! How exciting! But how exciting can it be when half the time you try to take a little heat because you don't want the air conditioning on because of the utilities bill? Or is it really that fun when some nights you come home and you don't have any groceries left and you're left starving? Awkward.
4. Romances
The scariest and one of the most difficult parts of college is romances. If you are anything like me (as in human), you get scared by the idea that this new boy you just met could possibly be your BFF.. for life?! Or are in you in the boat where you and your person have been basically sharing living spaces for the past year and you already have a preview of what being married to them will look like (yikes and scary)! Romances in college are incredibly uncomfortable at times but it's a definite part of your personal growth while developing into a young adult in college. And don't worry if you think you're #singleforever, remember you just entered your 20's and EVERYTHING IS OK!
(says the girl who hooks up with every boy in her dorm hall..)
5. Declaring a major AKA your life
People change their major's or at least change ideas multiple times before declaring a final decision of what they want to be their life career. I'll be honest, I can't count how many times I have sat in the middle of my Microbiology class contemplating about dropping out of school and working in my favorite clothing store for the rest of my life. Or as you hear many college students say "I'm going to drop out and become a stripper", and I mean they have quite the cash flow so it's quite understandable. It is so awkward when you are sitting with your advisor, feeling like your life is in shambles and you don't know what to do for the rest of your life and you're trying to get a grip on the fact that you'll just be poor forever.
Take your pick: study all day or become a stripper like the bunny.
6. College students are always poor AF
Sadly I have seen friends live on Top Ramen for months at a time or having to stock up on bananas and apples from the cafeteria by slyly taking one or two every day on their way out. In college you want to do so many things and explore new places! Or you just want to drink away all your life problems every weekend and that is cool too! But sobbing about your life while drinking some bitter Vodka requires money. Sorry!
7. You enter your 20's
Being 20 is so awkward, because it is so inconvenient and difficult. Being 20 is going to be a long year when your friends slowly start turning 21 without you. House parties just aren't your scene anymore and you would much rather have nights in downtown barhopping with your friends instead but life reminds you that you are 20 and you cannot do that, how INCONVENIENT. And then when you're 23 you might not be able to afford having margarita nights every weekend so you begin opting for "romcom" movie nights with any friends that are still single. Yikes.
8. "Freshman 15" is real
You hear those stories of gaining the "Freshman 15" and you think people are exaggerating but I'll tell you straight up that they are not. Not trying to be judgmental here but I'm pretty blunt so I'll say that you'll notice those who have gained the "Freshman 15" whether it be yourself or someone else and you'll definitely realize that "Freshman 15" does not go away once Sophomore year starts! So frat boys you gotta give up shotgunning beers for fun and girls stop hooking up with too many guys that cause you heart break and weight gain in tubs of ice cream.
From this..
To this.. REAL QUICK
9. School breaks
Whether it be summer break, fall break, winter break, and so on.. any break from school is a god given blessing. In college, when these breaks come around and all your best friends fly back home and are scattered across the nation and are not with you to spend these few days or weeks of freedom... it can get kinda awkward. Like do I really want to spend a plane ticket to go to Illinois just because my roomie lives there? Maybe?
10. Life in general
When you're in college, you will reach this one point where some of your friends are engaged, some have found their occupations, some move back home, some go to grad school, or some drop out... and you'll sit there and wonder "what the heck am I doing or going to do"??? The usual answer is "I DON'T KNOW" and you'll probably have a minor meltdown and freak out! It's kinda awkward when you're having a break down in the middle of the library but only "kinda" awkward because every college student that walks by you can totally relate.
Middle school was an awkward journey but at a simpler time. When awkward meant having your mouth be a rainbow colored mess because you chose all your favorite colors to be the rubber bands on your braces or when you thought having side bangs that covered half of your face was cool. That level of awkwardness does not even compare to surreal life struggles you go through as a college student.
