College is quite the journey! When you're reaching the end of your high school career most people are probably thinking about all of the freedoms that come with being out on your own! But... wait. Does that mean we have to start paying for practical things? Does that mean no reminders for that massive school project? What about money for cute shoes? Below is a list of just a few of the changes that take some adjusting to during college life. Nine to be exact.
1. The bittersweet guilt of bumming off of your parents for food and occasional gas money.
College life is fun, until it comes to the basic needs of living. One of these is food, and one of these is money. Typically you need money to buy food, so this can get problematic when you aren't so great with the "saving money" concept. Have no fear! The magical refrigeration device in your parents' kitchen probably has something you can munch on. Before you go, you may even be able to slip in a comment about your unfortunately low gas tank as well. Very casual conversation, nothing expected of course.
2. The sheer terror that is learning how to manage your own money responsibly.
Money, the green paper that somehow motivates every working person in America. It's really quite magical, and sometimes can even seemingly just disappear from your bank account. Every college student's least favorite trick. Learning how to get it back is the tricky part!
3. Having to give yourself a pep talk that could motivate an army, just to successfully wake up on time.Hitting snooze twelve times doesn't quite cut it when attendance counts as credit. When a professor announces that part of your grade is simply showing up on time, you know you're in for some serious self-motivation skills! Have no fear, setting twenty alarms for the same hour can also do the trick.
4. Speaking of time, can we mention the heart attack that is procrastinating until you only have hours left to write a major essay?
Writing an essay sounds simple enough... until you actually have to sit down and write it. When it's four in the morning and you have three sentences, you know you're experiencing college to the fullest. Procrastinating leads to last-minute stresses, and it's a vicious cycle. Tread with caution!
5. Learning to appreciate the little accomplishments so you don't have your third mental breakdown this week.
Remember that last-minute stress we were talking about? That can lead us all to some pretty questionable mental states. Sometimes you just have to hand it to yourself after a long week, even for the littlest things. Avoiding total insanity is key, and it isn't always easy.
5. Appreciating your parents more than ever before.
Coming to the realization that your parents put up with your nonsense for eighteen years is a huge part of growing up. Welcome to the beginning stages. When eighteen hits and you realize your parents are no longer obligated to pay for anything you do, every bit of offered help feels like the hands of God. It may take a few years, but for most of us, we'll eventually realize how awesome our parents have been to us.
6. Realizing that your hobbies aren't going to cut it, and you'll probably have to work a job you hate.
Just because your mom hung your artwork on the fridge, doesn't always mean the world is going to want to. Realizing that real life is finally here and you can no longer hide in your room with your crayons, is a hard one to take in. The good news? There are so many options for creative outlets as adults! If you have a hobby, now is the perfect time to continue it. Enjoy video production? Youtube. Do you create totally unique clothing or art? Etsy is home to you! Even if it doesn't pay the bills, following your passions is major. Growing up is what you make it to be, not everything has to be sacrificed!
7. Valuing the friends that stick around.
After high school most friends go complete opposite directions, never to be seen again. Realizing how easy it is to lose touch with people, you begin to appreciate those who do keep in touch so much more. It may be more difficult to see each other with your new chaotic lives, but those who make the time are the friends you can consider true.
8. Realizing that you probably should have paid better attention in high school.
Noticing that the pythagoreon theorem didn't exactly glue to your brain in high school, can cause a bit of distress in future math classes. Same goes for all of the details you ignored in other classes previously, thinking they would never matter again. Boy, were we wrong. Let's be honest though, that nap in calculus was worth it.
9. Understanding you're only human. Growing up can take some time, but hey, we'll get there!
