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Student Life

College: Expectations vs. Reality

College isn't like how it looks in the movies.

Draven Ward

Aug 31, 2016

UNC Greensboro

181

Onyxcarmine

Growing up in America, every teenager and child has unrealistic expectations about college life because of the way movies portray it. From partying to studying to simply living in a dorm, they can give people some pretty far fetched ideas of how glamorous college could be. The following uncovers what college is really like.

1. Expectation: You will party almost every night.

Although this may be the case for some people, for the most part, you will not party every night simply because... YOU CAN'T. Unfortunately, very early on in the semester, homework begins to pile up. Whether you do or do not you actually take the time to do your homework and study is up to you, but why would you spend thousands of dollars to then flunk out?

2. Expectation: You can just read the textbook to study.

I wish at was as easy as this. You probably can't get an A on the test if all you do is read the textbook over and over to study. You probably won't retain the information no matter how hard you try.

3. Expectation: You will make tons of friends right away and hang out with them all year.

Not that you can't make friends right away, but you shouldn't feel upset if people you meet early off in the semester drift away from you and you don't talk to very much. I promise, you'll find your circle of friends.

4. Expectation: You will be able to skip classes whenever you want.

One of my professors recently told me with the amount student pay in tuition, skipping one class can cost you about $500. I don't know about you, but I'm a broke college student. I do not have $500 sitting around, ready to blow away on one day I didn't feel like getting up for class.

5. Expectation: You will be able to visit the gym at the recreation center every day and get in good shape.

Once a week, probably. Every day? No chance.

6. Expectation: Because of expectation #5, you will escape the "freshmen 15".

I think the freshmen 15 in inevitable. Even though you're walking all over campus to and from your classes, mommy isn't cooking a balanced meal for you anymore. You're eating cafeteria food now, darling.

7. Expectation: You will find a girlfriend/boyfriend easily because of how big the student population is.

Again, this may work out for you, but even though the student population is big doesn't mean all the fish in this big, college sea are what you're looking for.

8. Expectation: Laundry will be easy.

Laundry will always be a pain in the butt, especially if back at home one of your parents did it for you. The worst part? Having to sit their for an hour and a half waiting on your clothes to be finished.

9. Expectation: The food will be delicious.

Guys, it's cafeteria food. It'll be good for a while, but then you'll get sick of it.

10. Expectation: Walking to class won't be that bad.

Let's just say.. this is worse in the hot weather than in cooler weather. Wear deodorant, folks.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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College: Expectations vs. Reality

College isn't like how it looks in the movies.

1. Expectation: You will party almost every night.

2. Expectation: You can just read the textbook to study.

3. Expectation: You will make tons of friends right away and hang out with them all year.

4. Expectation: You will be able to skip classes whenever you want.

5. Expectation: You will be able to visit the gym at the recreation center every day and get in good shape.

6. Expectation: Because of expectation #5, you will escape the "freshmen 15".

7. Expectation: You will find a girlfriend/boyfriend easily because of how big the student population is.

8. Expectation: Laundry will be easy.

9. Expectation: The food will be delicious.

10. Expectation: Walking to class won't be that bad.

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The struggles of having an RBF are all too real

1. People asking if you're mad at them.

2. Those people who hand out flyers don't always try to stop you.

3. Creepy guys telling you to smile.

4. "I thought you were a bitch when I first met you."

5. People telling you you'd be "so much prettier if you smiled."

6. Doing your makeup and looking great, which somehow intensifies the bitch face.

7. Regularly explaining "it's just my face."

We all go through certain stages when we have a crush, Tina just explains it better.

That moment that someone you never looked twice at suddenly makes you do a double take out of no where.

But you can't have a crush, that's outrageous. It's all in your head.

Because you don't have a crush, there's no reason to tell anyone about anything. Right?

But then they do something irresistible and you start to lose it.

Now accepting the fact you have a crush, you have to keep it under control.

Then there's the part where you tell your friends who will claim they called it.

They'll be excited and cheer you on. That's until they realize that your crush is all you'll be talking about.

Your obsession has become so bad, that your Facebook stalking is getting out of control.

But your friends will try and help move things along any way they can. That doesn't mean it will be any helpful though.

As time goes on, you start having fantasies about the two of you and it's starting to scare you a little.

You can't focus on anything because all your attention is on them and everything they do.

Anybody who comes near your crush is now an enemy, and you are willing to fight for your crush.

When you see them, you act like an idiot. Trying to hide your feelings may not be as discrete as you think.

Keeping your feelings inside will start to be harder and harder until you can't keep it inside anymore.

Who knows, maybe it will work out? Take a chance.

Everybody hurts sometimes.

May the odds be ever in your favor.

What about those of us who don't do it all in four years?

1. You feel like an elder.

2. You may feel lonely.

3. Senioritis is more real than ever.

4. You may feel a little down sometimes.

5. Fear of missing out won't be as real.

6. You are a college pro.

7. You'll have more free time.

8. You're happy you're still in school.

9. You feel like a guru.

10. You continue to grow.

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