It's 2016, almost 2017, and if you haven't seen a single episode of Friends you are living under a rock and are missing out on one of the greatest shows ever created. After watching this show more times than I care to publicly admit, I can say there are a lot of lessons and funny moments in the show that relate to being in college and for the most part, on your own for the first time in your life. So, I present to you, college life, explained by Monica, Ross, Chandler, Phoebe, Rachel, and Joey of Friends.
1. Just smile and nod
That moment when your professor asks the class if they understand everything in the current chapter before moving on to the next. You have no idea so you just sit there and nod, and you know you're not the only one doing it.
2. Playing chicken with campus vehicles.
When you first get to campus, you look both ways before crossing the street or sidewalks on campus, but slowly though out your time at school you start to not care. It's like a game of chicken, daring the car to hit you because you have an exam you're not ready for, or you have a paper you forgot to write, or you're on your way to pay your tuition and it's just sad.
4. Going out and meeting new friends.
You go out with your friend, you have a drink or two (sorry mom) and you talk to new people. I know I'm usually a very anti-social person, but when I'm out with friends, I can be a little social butterfly (again, sorry mom).
5. The weekends really do start on Thursday.
When you have a test or quiz or paper due on Friday and all your friends are getting ready to go out and have a good time... It's kind of upsetting, then you make the mistake of agreeing to "just 5 minutes" at a party, that turns into a few hours... then sitting in your class on Friday swearing to never do it again... Then next Thursday rolls around and it happens again... It's a never-ending cycle.
6. The Freshman 15 is a real thing, so is The Sophomore 20...
It's a very real thing, beware. You may say that you're going to watch what you eat and work out a few days a week, but in reality that doesn't actually happen for most people. Be careful, and make sure your fridge works, so you don't have to eat everything.
7. Campus Crushes are a real thing too.
If you don't know what a campus crush is, it's basically a person you see around campus a lot that you think is very attractive, but chances are you don't actually know their name. You may know it, or actually talk to them by the end of the year, but who knows.
8. Dealing with people who give their opinions without you asking.
Your friends telling you something you don't want to hear is one thing, but it's something totally different when a complete stranger butts into your conversation after eavesdropping and gives an unwanted opinion. Don't be that person, nobody likes that person.
9. When your family comes to visit and they bring your dog (or cat).
When your parents bring your pet to visit it's like Christmas. And all your friends love it because who doesn't like animals, it's like a free stress relief and puppy cuddles are the best.
10. Trying to find a balance between work and play.
When in college it's very important to try to find a balance in life, between studying for classes, having a social life, and working if you have a job. Sometimes it can be a lot to handle, but once you find what works best for you it will all be okay.
11. When you get a good grade on an exam you didn't study for.
Whether you forgot you had a test/exam, or you just outright didn't study, the wait for the grade to be returned can be stressful. But there is always that rare occasion when you get your grade back and you somehow managed to get an A or B even if you had no idea what was being tested.
12. Hearing drunk stories
Telling funny drunk stories can be a great way to get to know new friends or just laugh with old friends. But, hearing stories about what you did while drunk is just kind of mortifying... thinking to yourself "why the hell would i do that?!" the entire time.
13. When you've had a total of like 5 hours of sleep in the last 3 days and you have to go to class still.
Pulling all-nighters is a part of the college experience, but when you have to go to class after pulling like 3 all nighters in a row with a nap thrown in randomly you are about as fine as Ross was when Rachel and Joey started dating.
14. When your friends/roommates eat your food without asking.
When you've had a long day and you're looking forward to eating your leftover pizza or the cookies your mom sent you and you get back to your room to see they're gone. It's not a good day.
15. When you're the only single one of all your friends.
When all your friends have boyfriends/girlfriends/significant others/people they 'talk' to, and you're just alone. You become Chandler.
16. When professors give homework over the weekend or spring/winter break.
When a professor tries to assign a paper or some type of homework while you are on spring/winter/thanksgiving break. It's not going to happen.
17. When your professor assigns you a group for a group project.
You get stuck with total strangers, or if your lucky you get a kid you know, but group projects still suck and always will.
18. When deciding who's turn it is to pay for the take-out.
No college student has the money to pay for the take out every time, so you find a way to take turns. Try playing Rock, Paper, Scissors, Fire, Water Balloon to make the choice, loser pays.
19. When you see a topic on an exam that wasn't covered in class.
You know you were supposed to read a chapter or two in the book outside of class, but you didn't. Now it's on the exam, and it's time to start guessing.
20. Not knowing where you are when you wake up after a night out.
No words. You know what I'm talking about.
Friends is a hilarious show that everyone loves and can laugh at, and in so many ways it accurately depicts college life. Do you think there is anything that I missed? Let me know in the comments below!
