Growing up in a small town is something most city-dwellers could never comprehend.
Instead of taking a city bus to the mall, you hop in your car and prepare for at least a half-hour drive with a well thought-out playlist to jam to. Although you probably hated being in such a close-knit community at the time, there are some things that you miss about the little town you come from. I know I do, and it's funny to recognize some of the things that make you remember that small town.
College is a crazy, beautiful, amazing whirlwind. It is highly popularized in television and movies, but not necessarily in the most accurate way. Yes, there's frats, dingy dorms, raging house parties—but there's also a lot that people fail to mention.
All of your classes aren't taught every day, so professors aren't on your case constantly about reading and memorizing material. Once you get back that "questionable" first exam grade, you'll kick it into high gear and figure out what works for you
Figuring out how to live with your new roomie is a task in itself. From arranging your room and learning about each other's habits, to scheduling important me-time, it can be stressful. Understanding how to give-and-take can help establish a peaceful living situation.
Frankly, it sucks. Outgrowing people and drifting apart is a part of life. It's especially hard when friends are hours away and conflicting schedules get in the way of communication.
So many cultures and backgrounds mesh together at college. You learn about each other, grow together, and create life-long memories. Bonding over pizza at 3 a.m. is one of the best ways to do it, to be honest.
Coming home for the first time is an odd experience. Questions like, "So what's new?" and "How are you?" seem to be un-answerable because the world around you feels so foreign. You've grown and experienced so much while the people at home seem to have stayed the same.
Some people go out every night and some people don't go out at all. House parties are happening all the time and bars are open every day. Does it mean that you should go out and get trashed every night? That's up to you. There's also a lot of non-alcohol related clubs and campus activities in session, so check that out if you're not feeling like nursing that morning hangover.
You've got three hours of homework left? But there's house parties, an off-campus dinner date, sporting events, two club meetings... The pressure to do everything humanely possible is way more prominent than it ever was in high school.
Say goodbye to sweet dreams and hello to Red Bull and daily naps! Thanks to noisy roommates and neighbors, paper thin walls, and no self-control when it comes to Netflix, you can kiss away those Z's.
Some people gain 15 pounds, some people lose 15 pounds, and some people stay the same. Crazy schedules, countless dining hall options, and having a fitness facility at your fingertips can influence your decisions— for better or for worse.
You will realize the parts of yourself you never knew and you will lose the parts of yourself holding you back. Here at college, it doesn't matter where you came from in high school or what you did in your past; it matters if you're a good person and the things you do from this point forward to better the world around you.
Here's to the next four-plus years!
Your mom: you can't live with her, but you can't live without her. You love your mom, but she is insanely predictable. Here is a list of things your mom has probably done.
Then they will text you to tell you they left you a voicemail.
"Did you know Gretta is engaged!?"
This is the most awkward thing any human will have to experience.
"What does she mean, she loves herself?" "I don't know mom!"
Do you just snoop on my profile all day?
Nothing will make you feel more single then having to tell your mother you're single.
That I've answered a thousand times already.
My hair is fine!
"You look so skinny! Have you been eating?"
A million times.
"You are so talented."
That's on fleek!
My mom likes Kat on The Voice more than me.
Moms make the greatest hostesses.
No matter what, your mom is always there for you. She's your shoulder to cry on and the only person you want to talk to when you need to calm down.
I've been a bleach blonde for over a year now, and let me tell you, it is a lifestyle. More hair appointments, longer showers, and special shampoo. But it is totally worth it!
Despite the struggles, you love your platinum blonde hair! You make sure Instagram knows it, too. You don't need a filter, because the color is flawless by itself!
Finals: just thinking about them gives you anxiety. Only two weeks separate you from summer, but they're the longest of the semester. There's a familiarity to this season, now that you have had so many testing cycles under your belt. But that doesn't quell the ever present stress to pass your finals and your classes. Even better, as a package deal during these wonderful weeks, you get to wake up early to study and you get to take exams that can begin anytime from 7 A.M. to 7 P.M. Now that we have established that this week is not fun, here are some super relatable moments that punctuate finals week.
1. The amount of caffeine you've consumed these two weeks.
Those late-night study sessions can't happen when you're asleep, so you try to down as much of this liquid energy as possible. Sleep is for the weak.
2. Trying to keep yourself from being distracted by your phone.
You're so determined because finals are nearing...
... but then you get sad that you don't have your phone, so you find new ways to distract yourself.
3. The feeling you get before you take a test.
No matter how much you study for a test and no matter how prepared for a test you feel, there is always a feeling of anxiety before you take that test.
4. Your face when the first question is something you didn't study for.
We've all had that one demoralizing moment when the first question on a test is something we didn't study for. You then question why you studied in the first place.
5. The feeling you get when you've finished your first final.
After that killer first question, you realize that studying actually was very helpful. You breeze through the rest of that test...
...and walk out feeling victorious.
6. When you get out of an 8 A.M. final and finally get to eat food.
Let's be honest, waking up to eat at 7 A.M. before your 8 A.M. final sound absolutely terrible. Especially if you're me and you went to sleep at 3 A.M. That glorious moment when you get out of a final and run to the nearest dining hall and stuff your face with food is pretty rewarding.
7. When you have to study for the rest of your finals.
You thought that first one sucked, but then you have like eleventy-two more and you start crying.
8. When you realize that you know none of the material.
You realize that you should have taken better notes because you basically have to relearn all of the material.
9. When someone else is finished with all of their exams and rubs it in your face.
We all have that one friend that brags about finishing their finals early. If you don't have that friend it may be you...
10. When you're done with all of your exams.
Nothing feels more amazing than being done with your exams for the testing season. Now it's finally summertime and you have never been more ready for it. No matter how much this period of time sucks, you'll get through it! It may seem super daunting, but the feeling you have when you walk out of that last final will be absolutely worth it. So as you are burning the midnight oil away (because those A's won't get themselves), just know that summer will be all the sweeter after you finish these finals.
I've been at this college thing for almost three and a half years, and while I thought that high school was truly the lowest point of my existence, I'm beginning to realize that it was a walk in the park. Like, I miss the days when the biggest white lie I told my parents was my made up excuse about being late for fourth period. These days, the white lies are a tad more complex, and as ashamed as I am to admit it, I've definitely told a few of these.
Said as you're heating up a "Cup O' Noodles" in your dorm-room microwave. Does anyone have any Tobasco sauce? And let's not even mention that love affair with the ice cream machine in the dining hall.
*Turns up volume on whatever Netflix series I happen to be bingeing on..*
I usually run crying to my bedroom due to complete anxiety after I tell this one..
This one worked flawlessly for me in high school, and still gets me out of any grade-related conversation.
I don't even know if that's a little bit true, but at least it makes me feel slightly better.
I mean, those high school habits sure do die hard...
Said as I'm two carts deep in random sh*t that I found at Target...
Help me, I'm poor.
No actual motivation to speak of.
Telling them that I'm actually a semester behind is really just better for their sanity.
