Tell the truth. We all grew up secretly hoping that our school lives would be just as thrilling as Degrassi: The Next Generation, well, minus the whole Jimmy and Rick situation. And, of course we could skip out on the whole JT stabbing as well. But, going through school, I began to realize that it wasn't too much like Degrassi at all. However, some experiences Degrassi did accurately portray. Even though the show mostly took place in high school, the situations carry over well into college.
1. Expect plenty of growth and change.
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People will change personality wise, so don't take it personally. But, also just expect people to experiment with new looks. One day your friend may have a curly afro, and the next day she may have box braids down past her waist. Keep your questions to a minimum. Just know that sometimes people switch up in more ways than one.
2. There's easy access to condoms.![]()
Yep, sexual health is very important. It's so important that the student health center offers free condoms, no questions asked. Whether you're using them to blow up similarly to balloons like Ashley and Jimmy or you're using them for precautions, you can easily get your hands on them.
3. Mistakes are inevitable.
Wouldn't it be easier if we were perfect and never made a mistake? Unfortunately, we all make mistakes. I'm sure we could all come up with a lengthy list of mistakes that we've made or we could even just reflect on the abundance of mistakes our beloved cast of Degrassi made. But, the only way for growth is to learn from those mistakes. Learning doesn't stop as soon as we leave the classroom. Whether it be learning from your own mistakes or others, just be sure to make the most of your situation at hand.
4. People will blame you for their issues.
Don't feel bad. You can't help everyone, and you can't really help people who don't want to be helped. As long as you tried to help, you've done all you can. Don't let anyone place their own guilt onto you.
5. People open up about their sexuality.
School is often a time for people to start fresh, and they open up about things that they may not have been as upfront about before. It is vital for those who are opening up about their sexuality to have a support system that is understanding.
6. There is exposure to drugs.
This is an important one. People will tell you anything just to convince you to try drugs. Don't fall into peer pressure to fit in, because there can be various harmful effects. Be careful because drug posession is not something you want to add onto your resume.
7. Pregnancy scares can and will happen.
This is why it's imperative to take advantage of those free condoms at the student health center. If you are sexually active, you run the risk of feeling like Manny and the various other characters who thought they were pregnant, which may have been just about every female character. Sometimes even when you aren't sexually active, you manage to convince yourself you might just be the next Virgin Mary.
8. People promoting their mixtape.
As funny as this may seem, people are finding their niche, and they need to get their work out there. So, you will encounter various people trying to start their own hustle. Support them.
9. Hungry is always your mood, and pizza is now your obsession. ![]()
Sometimes you will go to sleep hungry, and you'll wake up hungry. You're now considered a broke college student who no longer has the luxury of homecooked meals.Take advantage of every opportunity to get free food or any deals on food. Let's not forget about how pizza intake skyrockets. Just look at the crowds at Pizza Kingdom, Slices, and Blaze on a Friday night. Nothing screams "Let's get pizza," more than 2 am.
10. You'll find yourself in a situationship or a relationship.
You'll find a boo, and you'll learn a lot from the other person. This is another chance to grow, whether your bond lasts for years or ends just as quickly as it started. It's nice to have someone just to kick it with.
Long live one of the greatest things that Canada gave us. Degrassi: The Next Generation will be missed, but the lessons and experiences from the show are just as applicable now as they were then. Take some tips from your fave, Wheelchair Jimmy, or any of the other cast members. If life was a TV show, it would be Degrassi, because it goes there.
