I’ve recently spent some scattered time around toddlers and the past four months around college students. I really enjoy the company of both, and I realized it’s because when it comes down to it, they are very similar.

So, here is my reasoning as to why college students could very well be toddlers in disguise.

Coloring is the ultimate pastime.

Sure, we’ve seen the dozens of coloring pages of all themes for those under the age of five. BUT! Have you heard of adult coloring books? They’ve infiltrated my college’s campus. I have been resisting the urge to invest in yet another blissful stress-reliever.

Interestingly enough, both toddlers and college students have an affinity for coloring purple elephants and green monkeys.

They REALLY need their naps.

Both need naps, or there will be some form of crying, sulking and demands for cookies and juice boxes. Temper tantrums are cute when you’re about 30 lbs., but not so much when you’re 130 lbs. (even though the frequency of occurrence is the same).

No one understands their sense of fashion.

Me: Do you need help tying your shoes?

T: “No!”

*Proceeds to struggle for 10 minutes, attempting to tie laces, eventually giving up and putting on rain boots, (on the hottest, driest day in July)*

The rest of the outfit includes some kind of cape or tutu and pajamas that are usually two sizes too small.

Seen on a college campus: Ugly Christmas Sweaters, Animal Printed-PJ pants, and seasonally inappropriate footwear: (Ex. Uggs in May, or flip flops in December).

The rest of the outfit usually includes something oversized and usually not theirs.

They want everything done for them, even though they can probably do it themselves.

Toddler:

*has fine motor skills to decimate the lid of a jar of glitter glue that has probably been cemented shut since before they were born*

“Daddy, can you open this juice box?”

Me: *is currently a calculus and biostatistics student*

“Daddy, can you do my taxes?”

Ultimately, college students and toddlers share many interests, (sorority girls, can you say glitter, superheroes and Disney movies?) They're both stubborn, easily confused and require a lot of energy and attention. But, loved ones, it's worth it.

And hang in there, my over-sized toddler friends.