High school lied about a lot of things. My first year of college has taught me many things. My high school teachers claimed that college professors would be much stricter and that they wouldn't care about their students. Maybe some of that is true, but it was the complete opposite here at ONU. College isn't easy, but all you have to do is do your homework and you'll be fine.

1. You'll start that big research paper the night before it's due.

In high school you spent months perfecting and drafting your research paper. You had color-coordinated notecards and every source highlighted and understood. But in college, you don't have a teacher setting due dates and requiring notecards with quotes. Thus, you will put it off until the night before. But don't worry, you'll still pass it.

2. Your professors give you enough time to copy down the notes.

High school teachers make it seem like the professors will ramble on and not give you any time to write the notes, but all my professors will even go back if someone doesn't get all the notes down before they changed the slide. They don't expect you to be bionic humans who can scribble down hundreds of notes in minutes. Some will even post all the notes

3. They don't care if you chew gum.

No need to spit out your gum every time you enter the classroom in college. No college professor has ever told me to spit out my gum.

4. In fact, most even don't care if you eat during class.

The only exception is labs and classes where special equipment is used. It is not a good idea to try to eat in chem lab. But most professors don't care if you bring a snack.

5. College professors will give extra credit.

They don't just throw you under the bus. They do want you to pass the class and most give extra credit to help out the people who are on the edge of failing. Most professors aren't soulless human beings unless you get on their bad side.

6. Tests aren't going to be the only grades in your classes.

In every one of my classes, I have participation grades and homework grades and sometimes a project. You don't just take a midterm and a final.

7. Your professors do care about you.

They aren't heartless creatures that want you to fail. They will help you and answer your questions if you need them. Most of my professors will ever joke with me and they do remember me because I go to a small school. Your teachers are there to help you succeed (most of them).

Yes, there are exceptions to these. I know that sometimes when you're in a large lecture hall, some of these things can be true. But at ONU I never ran into any of these issues. The professors are here to help you succeed; it's just another reason why I love ONU.