While talking with a few of my friends, there happened to be many things that we all agreed on that relatives, friends, and teachers never "actually" told us about what happens and how you actually feel while in college.
1. Dorm Rooms
Whether you are on campus, may it be in the dorms or an apartment, you most likely will get dealt with a couple of roommates that you don't know very well. That being said, you can either have a great experience or a bad experience. My freshman year, I dealt with many emotionally trying times with my roommates-- hospital trips, crazy outings, and angering nights.
2. Making Friends
I don't know if it's just me, but making friends isn't the easiest thing for me. You never know whether it's cool just to say "hey!" and spark a friendship. Am I the only one?
3. Small Campuses
Sorry to the ones at the big universities out there, but to the ones at a smaller school, get used to seeing the same people pretty much every day. I just feel like we are this cute community and in a way, I feel closer to all the people I still don't even know.
4. The Homework Load
Don't worry, college is still the same as high school. Teachers definitely all meet together and plan all of their tests, homework, and quizzes to be at the same time. Which brings me to my next point...
5. No Sleep
Good luck with the endless nights in the library that lead to all-nighters, skipping two classes to complete homework for another class, and feeling totally pooped at the end of the day.
6. Studying
High school required some work, but studying in college is completely different. Classes require a lot of outside work, so you might find yourself studying five hours a day or longer. Talk about the most tedious thing ever.
7. Part-Time Job(s)
I knew it would be hard, but it's actually pretty difficult to have even one job while in school full-time.
8. Family/Homesickness
Some people have it nicer and can see their family within a one-two hour drive, but some people happen to live five, seven, or nine hours away from their family. It's easy to miss everyone from home while you're living life without them.
9. Keeping Friends From Your Hometown
Being away from your best friends from home is another challenge. Sometimes you think of them, but you both just have no time at the moment to see each other. College is the true test of a friendship.
10. The Campus Food
Yes, the campus food is good at first, but you will soon find that you really don't feel like eating pizza for the third night in a row.
12. The Parties
The biggest thing here is always to be safe. No matter how safe your campus is, there are always the fracturing moments that you find out a crime happened at a party you were at. Be safe out there guys.
13. Just Life
As this has been going on for many years already, with life comes great responsibility, and it's important just to ignore the rest of the crap in your life and stay focused on school. You can do this.
So as you continue throughout life, make sure to always remember these topics and be prepared for what people didn't tell you about college.