College Freshmen Myths and Expectations

By Shanique Wright on March 16, 2017

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It’s the first day of college and after you have managed to peel yourself from the clutch of your bawling mother at the “drop off only” curb, you pull your suitcase to your room occasionally glancing at the white coffee stained strip of paper you managed to scribble your room number on.

You speed walk to your room so you can get first dibs on the bunked beds, the one next to the large glass window overlooking the fraternity houses across the street. You sigh, kick your Jerusalem sandals off and sink into the gray futon your big brother gave you; the smell of vodka and sweat surrounds you as you snuggle deeper into it, and then you contemplate on the best four years of your life ahead.

Fraternity party myths: expectations vs reality

Having an invitation to a party in college is never important. Once your friend knows someone who went to class with a guy that met the owner of the apartment across the street then you are free to get in. The reality is that drunk girl greeting you at the door with two of her friends grappling with her arms and apologizing for the lingering smell of beer in your face.

You hear a crash behind you and a half naked jock tosses himself into the nearby trash cans screaming that he still loves his ex from kindergarten. When you do manage to get inside and slip past the toppled over tables and wrestlers singing their rendition of Queen’s “Somebody to Love,” you arrive on the “dance floor.” Neon lights from a rotating disco ball bought at a drugstore earlier on remains the only thing exciting about the room.

It’s close to the end of fall and the temperature keeps dropping faster than the minimum wage for blue-collar workers. You examine the room for somewhere to hang your coat but end up wearing it over your arm like a waiter’s tea towel.

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The foul stench of vomit from the girl with the purple highlights and black mini skirt in the corner drifts across the room and you stop to watch in disappointment, everyone gyrating to the music like seizure victims, bumping into strangers and falling over the discarded beer bottles and red and white post-Valentine’s Day sale cups on the floor.

People constantly hover over your shoulders causing your armpits to sweat. You glance around, looking for the buffet of snacks, the punch bowl, beer jug and brownies. Nothing; the sound of heavy metal pierces your eardrum as you stagger towards the exit pushing both sober and drunk students aside.

Finally, the fresh cold air slaps you in the face and for a split second, you develop a deep-seated appreciation for air. With a last glance at the lights flickering from the windows and the direction of the sound of the inaudible chatter from the back yard you slowly remove your wedges from your swollen feet cursing under your breath and wishing you had worn a pair of sweatpants and a Disney Frozen pullover.

The big difference between 14 credits and 17 credits

Being in college it is always good to find that balance between studying and going out with friends at two in the morning. It is the same balance you have to consider when talking with your academic advisor about your course plans for the next semester. Everyone wants to graduate in four years from college. So most students opt for the 16 credit recommendation.

However, if after contemplating the demands of your schedule you realize that having a full-time job, dog walking on the weekends, and volunteering at a shelter for homeless canines will not work with taking 17 credits, then take 14 credits. Summer school is never the worst idea if it provides a cushion for your spring semester GPA. Do not sabotage your transcript by biting off more than you can chew. Sometimes less is more, even in college.

Forgetful? Stay away from online classes

There is always at least one advisor trying to lure you into taking an online class. The reasons are usually the same:

•You don’t have to attend classes

•Quizzes are online

•It is most times self-paced

•It is as easy as 123; my roommate got an A

Yet, what they fail to tell you is that online classes are usually just as demanding as regular courses. Professors have the same expectations as when you would show up at a lecture. Even though attendance is not a factor, you are expected to go through hundreds of slides and prompted to adhere to deadlines. Consequences are even more severe and professors are far less empathetic. If you are not willing to commit to virtual participation then avoid online courses.

The college experience is something that everyone looks forward to but managing your expectations can help prevent typical mistakes and make your experience even more life changing.

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