College is an awesome new experience for everyone. You leave home for the first time and get to live on your own without having to go to your parents for every little decision. You are finally an adult... or are you? If you are like me, then not exactly. Starting college early brings it's own sets of challenges. Here are five things you should know before starting college early:
1. People Treat You Differently.
Unfortunately this is a big one. You hope that your age won't get in the way, but there is no way to get around it. Your age matters. I don't know how many times I have been asked if its weird being in college at a younger age, but the truth is that it's not any different for me than it is for you. College is difficult, and we are all just trying to find our way through it in any way we know how.
2. Parent Signatures are Needed for Everything. Literally Everything.
I never used to think much about needing a signature for a waiver. It was nothing to just go bring my paper over to my mom or dad and say "Hey, will you sign this?" When you are almost 200 miles away, it is a completely different story. I was only 16 when I started college, so the fax machine became my best friend.
3. The Opposite Gender Will Be Afraid of You.
Because you are under 18 when you start, a lot of the people of the opposite gender will feel intimidated by you. They will be a little more distant toward you than other people, because you are Jail Bait, and they don't want people to get the wrong idea about them spending a lot of time with you. Just wait until you turn 18, trust me, they will come around.
4. College is Nothing Like High School.
All throughout high school I was told that they were just preparing me for college, and in some ways they did. But, there a lot of things I wasn't prepared for. For example, studying will become your best friend. I made it all the way through high school without having to study much. This caused me to not really know how to study when I got here, but its one of those things that you are forced to learn how to do quickly. The work is quite a bit harder, and most of the work you are expected to do on your own time. Just buckle down and you'll be fine.
5. Just Because You Are Gone, Doesn't Mean You Have To Forget Your Old Friends.
When I graduated from high school, I thought that that would be it. All of my friends back home would move on with their lives and I would have to forget them and move on with mine. This is definitely one of the biggest lies I have ever told myself. Although it is great to make new friends where you end up, make sure you don't forget the ones back home. My best friend back home has been a great person to talk to, and I still tell her everything. You just have to put in the effort to stay in touch.
College is a crazy new world, especially if you are starting early, but just keep your chin up and I promise, you will survive.
