It's that time of year again. Instagram feeds are overflowing with pictures from prom and decorated graduation caps. While I'm already through my first year of college, I'm finding that as I scroll through the pictures of high school senior activities, I'm hit with a sense of nostalgia. Those last few months in high school are sentimental and admittedly bittersweet. Would I love to be getting dolled up for a night of dancing and limo rides with my best friends? OF COURSE! Do I wish I was still looking through hundreds posts about of how to decorate graduation caps hoping to find the perfect way to decorate mine? ABSOLUTELY! Though, it's in those same wee hours of the night that I find myself looking through all the pictures I have from my freshman year of college. That's when I realize that while high school was fun, college is better in so many ways.
1. Residence halls and dorm rooms
For those of you who decide to go away for school, moving into that tiny dorm room can be intimidating. For many, it's the first time they've ever had to share a room with anybody, and to add to that, they're most likely living with a stranger. The good news is that this small, white walled, unappealing room will soon be your new home, and in most cases, that stranger sitting on her bed across the room from you will probably be your first friend on campus. Trust me, it's hard to get used to, but the community living situation is so helpful in making friends. Everybody's nervous about starting their first year of college, but it's easier if you have somebody to share that experience with.
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2. Clubs/Events
While in high school, there's a limited selection of activities and athletics you can be a part of. Unfortunately, some people just don't fit into those groups. However, in college, there's a club for everything, and even if there's not one, you can start one. Schools also alway have different events being held on weekends that you can go to. Most of the time they're free, but sometimes they cost about $5 which fits right into the broke college student budget. There are gonna be times you just need to escape from campus, and these events will come to the rescue.
3. Day Trips
I consider myself to be lucky to go to a school in Upstate New York. Besides the fresh air and much less hustle and bustle of Long Island traffic, there's so much exploring that can be done. If you're lucky enough to have a friend with a car, day trips to surrounding areas are a great break during stressful times. Suggestion: Do your research and find the best spots to go explore near you; Some you may even happen upon by accident.
4. Late night food runs
Food at any hour is good, but we can all agree that sometimes, food just tastes better late at night. You don't know how many times you'll be up late studying or coming home from a night of partying and find yourself wanting something to eat. You're in luck! Most college towns have a few places that stay open late and have either good prices or special deals. After midnight 2-for-1 burritos or a $7 calzone are just a few examples. If you don't believe me, try it for yourself. The first time you order food at 1am, you'll wonder why you hadn't done it sooner.
5. Partying
Now, this part isn't for everybody. Personally, I wasn't really into the party scene before, or even during, my first semester of college. Sure, some people have been going to house parties since early high school. However, there's something special about that walk or cab ride home to your dorm room where you'll sit and laugh with all your friends while you order the perfect "drunk food." You don't realize at the time, but this is one of the parts of going away to school that will make going home for the summer an incredibly difficult task. It's also something that makes you anticipate all the nights full of memories you'll get to enjoy when you get back to school in the fall.
6. Life long friends
Like I said earlier, it's easier to go through all those college "firsts" with somebody by your side. Those first weeks of school are the perfect time to find those people and start making memories. Of course you're still going to lose friends throughout college, but for the most part the friends you meet here will be the ones that are at your wedding and helping you through rough times in the future. Making those friends early on makes it so much easier to accept the terrifying reality that after college we have to enter the real world. Except the future starts to seem a lot more bearable when you have a strong set of friends beside you for every step of the way. I know I found mine and I hope that everybody gets as lucky as I did because sure you might still have a few friends from high school, but there's no bond greater than living with/next door to somebody for months.
