As I spring into my sophomore year of college, I look back on how terrified I was my first day of college and how different it was going to be from high school. With one year under my belt, I have come to realize that college is a dream compared to high school. It's a sure test of how you are as a worker and a functioning adult and tests how much you really want that dream career.
These are some of the reasons why the grass really is greener on the other side.
1. No dress codes.
One of the most annoying parts of high school was being lectured about the dress code all the time, mostly hearing about all the stuff you can't wear. Then if it was slightly off from what the code is, for whatever reason, you're crucified by a teacher and sent to the office. At college, no one cares. I mean you can't walk around in just a bikini and show all your business, but if your shorts are a little above the fingertip length there are no issues!
2. No fashion shows.
A daily struggle with going to high school was picking out your outfit. You would have a few lazy days with sweats and messy hair, but most of the time you tried to look your best. In college, no one cares, at all. You could roll out of bed, even stay in your pj's and just go to class. You can still dress up, but no one is going to judge either way.
3. No helicopter parents.
If you grew up in a household where your parents were super strict and constantly monitored you, going away to college takes a huge weight off of you. Your parents are limited with how much they can have contact with you, and they can't know everything you're doing all the time. Of course, they can still call and video-chat with you, but thankfully they get to the point where they HAVE to let you go.
4. Classes actually get interesting.
In high school, your classes contained basic knowledge about the subject. In college, you get more of an in depth teaching and find out more about what you love. With choosing a major, you take classes on subjects that actually interest you, and you don't mind spending a few grand for them.
5. Most professors don't worry about homework or attendance.
Professors might have homework outlined on the syllabus, but most of the time that's only for your benefit. Unlike high school, they don't check it. Some don't care if you even do it because that's on you. Now with certain professors and certain assignments they might collect it and grade it, but it's not a huge deal like it was in high school. Also, attendance is not mandatory in most classes. Again, that's all on you to show up, no one else's. Some professors take attendance and add it into the total grade, but that's not bad considering you might have that class maybe 2-3 days a week. It's all up to the professor for both points, so understand how they run their class.
6. You make your own schedule.
In high school, your schedule is made for you with the short amount of classes that you have to take in order to graduate. In college, you choose from an array of different classes, with all different times. If you're not an 8 a.m. person (like me), you choose classes later in the day and vice versa. You take classes you want (well except gen eds) at times that you want. Another example of the awesome freedom of college life!
7. No social hierarchy.
In high school, it's ALL ABOUT DRAMA. Who liked who, who did what, who is fighting with who, it's all a part of that life. A lot of times people stressed over their social life more than getting good grades, and it is the total opposite in college. No one really cares about that petty drama anymore. There's no popular or unpopular crowd. The mentality turns to the fact that you're all adults here, spending a lot of money to get a degree, and don't have time for any of that. There's enough stress with the grades, people don't need to add to it.
8. More social opportunities.
With more clubs and a vast amount of different people, you're bound to find a group to fit into. Greek life and student activities add a new level of involvement for students, and it can actually be a lot of fun. Even if you're not into that, the dorm life can provide an ample amount of new people to meet. Being surrounded by more people with the same goals as you can definitely bring you out of that shell.
9. No more helicopter teachers.
If you don't do a homework assignment and aren't doing well, a high school teacher will approach you and ask why you aren't doing the work, and demand an explanation if you didn't complete the homework. Professors don't care too much. If you don't do it, oh well. That's your fault. Your loss. You don't HAVE to pass their class.
10. There's a huge difference between semesters.
In high school, you might have the same subject all year through, and with the semester change, you might change two or three classes. In college, all the classes only last a semester. Even though they don't have it every day, you only have to take that class for 12-14 weeks then it's totally done. The shift between semesters is huge, and you will have a whole new schedule.
11. The responsibility gets real.
To encompass the few points I made before about it all being on you, this difference is the biggest and most preached one of all. You have more freedom and a lot more responsibility in college. No one holds your hand or tells you what to do anymore. Time management and dedication go hand in hand, and they determine if you will rule the semester or sink to the ground in failure.
ENJOY THE FREEDOM!
