Recommended for you

Start writing a post

Expectations vs. Reality as a Student

What you're about to read is something almost every student has done before and it's okay, I've been there too.

Carmen Shi

Nov 24, 2020

Hunter College

Photo by Element5 Digital on Unsplash

Planners

person writing at the talePhoto by Alexa Williams on Unsplash

E: "I finally bought a planner! Time to keep track of important dates and not be behind on work."

R: *The planner ends up being not opened for the rest of the semester (or maybe year) & relies on memory for due dates*

If you know you're not going to open up that planner, just don't buy it. That'll be a waste of $15 for a good planner, unless it's a really cheap one.

Studying

woman writing on bookPhoto by Kyle Gregory Devaras on Unsplash

E: With so many notes, I can study every day so I ace those tests! What could go wrong?

R: *After scrolling through social media for three hours* Oh shoot my test is tomorrow. I'll just study in the morning and on my way to school. *Ends up not studying and prays for at least a 65 (or even worse, cheat)*

I, myself, am guilty of last-minute studying but it doesn't happen too often. Just don't let this become a huge habit please.

Waking Up

woman in white t-shirt reading bookPhoto by Laura Chouette on Unsplash

E: *First class starts at 8 AM* I'll make sure to wake up to my alarm, which is 6:30 AM, and get to school on time, even if I'm earlier than the teacher.

R: *Wakes up at 7:45 AM* Oh well, better being late than not show up at all.

Disclaimer: Being a student in NYC, this can only apply to those who can literally walk to school within 10 to 15 minutes or get driven to school. Otherwise, us (including me) commuters can only cry on the inside because waking up late means later trains and delays.

Homework

Homework School Problem - Free photo on Pixabaypixabay.com

E: "Now that I know what homework I have to do, I can start this now and then do whatever I want later."

R: *gets home at 3 PM & binge-watches Netflix until 7 PM* alright let's get this work started *takes one hour to answer three simple questions*

Honestly, I'm just trying to recharge after sitting in seven classes for 45 minutes. I'm pretty sure other students can say the same.

Lateness

analog clockPhoto by Moritz Kindler on Unsplash

E: *comes to class one minute past the bell* "I'm sorry I'm late, it won't happen ever again!"

R: *comes to class ten minutes past the bell "At least I made an effort to come, unlike some other kids who decided to stay home."

I know deeply the majority of students have thought this quote and wanted to say it to their teachers. I know I wanted to say this too.

Making Friends in the First Week

3 women sitting on bench near the flowersPhoto by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash

E: "I will socialize as much as I can and create memories for this school year."

R: *Teachers assign groups to make students get to know each other* "Bruh I don't know anyone here. Let's hope they approach me first."

This reminded me of when I was a high school freshman and knew no one in my classes for the first few days so I was the quietest I've ever been.

I'm also going to add this in, if you're going to be a freshman in high school and have seen High School Musical, high school is nothing like the movie, unless your high school is Frank Sinatra or LaGuardia (both in NYC). I hope some of you guys thought the same thing with these situations!

Report this Content

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

Student Life

Things I Am Actually Going To Do This Semester

Or at least try to do.

University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

814

CampusExplorer

New year, new semester, not the same old thing. This semester will be a semester to redeem all the mistakes made in the previous five months.

1. I will wake up (sorta) on time for class.

Let's face it, last semester you woke up with enough time to brush your teeth and get to class and even then you were about 10 minutes late and rollin' in with some pretty unfortunate bed head. This semester we will set our alarms, wake up with time to get ready, and get to class on time!

Keep Reading...Show less

new year

Student Life

The 5 Painfully True Stages Of Camping Out At The Library

For those long nights that turn into mornings when the struggle is real.

Southwestern University

1478

woman reading a book while sitting on black leather 3-seat couch

Photo by Seven Shooter on Unsplash

And so it begins.

1. Walk in motivated and ready to rock

Camping out at the library is not for the faint of heart. You need to go in as a warrior. You usually have brought supplies (laptop, chargers, and textbooks) and sustenance (water, snacks, and blanket/sweatpants) since the battle will be for an undetermined length of time. Perhaps it is one assignment or perhaps it's four. You are motivated and prepared; you don’t doubt the assignment(s) will take time, but you know it couldn’t be that long.

Keep Reading...Show less

library

Student Life

The 14 Stages Of The Last Week Of Class

You need sleep, but also have 13 things due in the span of 4 days.

Michigan State University

987

Photo by Estée Janssens on Unsplash

December... it's full of finals, due dates, Mariah Carey, and the holidays. It's the worst time of the year, but the best because after finals, you get to not think about classes for a month and catch up on all the sleep you lost throughout the semester. But what's worse than finals week is the last week of classes, when all the due dates you've put off can no longer be put off anymore.

Keep Reading...Show less

Student Life

Top 20 Thoughts College Students Have During Finals

The ultimate list and gif guide to a college student's brain during finals.

University of Vermont

215

Thanksgiving break is over and Christmas is just around the corner and that means, for most college students, one hellish thing — finals week. It's the one time of year in which the library becomes over populated and mental breakdowns are most frequent. There is no way to avoid it or a cure for the pain that it brings. All we can do is hunker down with our books, order some Dominos, and pray that it will all be over soon. Luckily, we are not alone in this suffering. To prove it, here are just a few of the many deranged thoughts that go through a college student's mind during finals week.

Keep Reading...Show less

finals

Student Life

28 Daily Thoughts of College Students

"I want to thank Google, Wikipedia, and whoever else invented copy and paste. Thank you."

Kennesaw State University

1634

group of people sitting on bench near trees duting daytime

Photo by Naassom Azevedo on Unsplash

I know every college student has daily thoughts throughout their day. Whether you're walking on campus or attending class, we always have thoughts running a mile a minute through our heads. We may be wondering why we even showed up to class because we'd rather be sleeping, or when the professor announces that we have a test and you have an immediate panic attack.