I'm going to be starting my first year as an undergraduate in about a week and a half. Kill me now. I mean, it's about time that I'm finished with High School, but I do feel like there will be many hazardous circumstances waiting for me when I come into college... You know, the same feeling some of us had when we converted from Middle School into High School. However, Freshman Year was an absolute joke because of the bullying and fake friends, so I'm not sure if the same will happen in college... My High School wasn't all too wild though, it's not like the movies where someone would host a big house party and preach every day about sex... Most of my classmates were too innocent for that. Instead, we would just talk about how much we hated the IB Program because of the amount of homework they were giving to us, lol. None of my friends have drunk or smoked in High School, but that's most likely going to change when we arrive in college. xD Basically, I feel as if I missed out on the crazy instances during my time in High School and somehow it's going to—unexpectedly—make its way towards me when I go to college. I am curious as to what your experiences were like as a Freshman in college or university to see if it's as better, similar, or worse to those experiences in High School. I could ask my siblings about this or search on Google or Yahoo Answers, but I'd like to know about the MapleRoyals community's perspective. =)
I'M GOING TO GIVE YOU A REALLY LONG RESPONSE BECAUSE I RECENTLY GRADUATED COLLEGE AND I'M FEELING THE FEELS Anyways, I came into college with a really close-knit group of friends in high school, some of whom are still my closest friends to this day (we always joked about how when we become young adults, we'd be hanging out every day in a NYC coffee shop like they do in Friends). Like you I was pretty tame back then and we were all focusing on doing well in school and just having wholesome fun. I went into college with the expectation that it would be the "best four years of my life" as we are often told. Unfortunately, freshmen year rolled around and I had a lot of fun and I met a bunch of cool people, but I really disliked the new "group of friends" that I had made. Some of them were cool, but most of them were kind of dicks. Also I made the mistake of dating within the friend group which you should totally not do. Like seriously, don't do it. There will come a point where you must make a choice. Just don't do it. Like Nike, but not. Do not do the thing. So instead, I spent a lot of time skyping (pre-discord days) with my high school friends, many of whom also had hard time replacing one another with college versions of ourselves. Freshmen year was definitely fun and exciting, but it was mostly stressful and honestly even borderline miserable. Most of my friends stayed in the Northeast region for college, while I went all the way down to North Carolina. So I even considered transferring schools at one point. It was made so much worse from my mental expectation that college was supposed to be awesome and amazing and perfect. But fortunately, I was luckily able to find a new group of friends my sophomore year and everything became a lot better. I also had an awesome bff roommate from freshmen year, and we roomed together all the way until senior year. And so, I think the important thing about college is to go in without expectations. In a way, they just become burdens. Just do your best, try new things, have fun, and enjoy the highs while they last (literally and figuratively). And when you're hit by the lows, remember that they're there to teach you important life lessons, and that things will always get better. And keep in mind that things can and will change at any point: your friendships, your relationships, your interests, your health. Open yourself up to new opportunities to grow as a person, and that lessons should be learned from both within and outside the classroom. Also, go to class. I didn't do that freshmen year at all which I totally should have. Anyways, I guess to actually answer your question though, I think I had an equally enjoyable time during college as I did during high school. But I did have an unusually awesome high school experience, which is not the case for most people. Also to give actual practical advice for you specifically: learn your tolerance limits and learn to take care of yourself and your friends. I think I blacked out at every party my fall semester freshmen year, and made some regrettable life choices. SORRY NOT SORRY FOR THE WALL OF TEXT
I come from a background in which I was spoiled, pampered, and allowed to do pretty much whatever I pleased. My childhood and adolescence were nonstop self indulgence, self centeredness, and being told how smart, capable, and beautiful I was. I had very few responsibilities, even in taking care of myself - my laundry was done at the dry cleaners, we had dinner out every night, and I wasn't allowed to get a job because I "needed to focus on studying." University was a big wakeup call. It turns out that, in the wider world, no one thinks you're as special as your family does at home. I created many awkward situations and alienated many people. I learned to cook, clean, and do my own laundry, resulting in the occasional domestic disaster. I had to adjust to having roommates, namely the fact that not everyone is quiet or neat all the time, and that I'm not entitled to my ideal living space when someone else is helping pay for it. I learned that government and academic bureaucracies see me as just another number in the line, that people on the street don't necessarily have my best interests at heart, and that my intelligence and looks are strictly average. I damn near had an existential crisis before realizing I was going to have to either adapt or set my career sights much lower. Essentially, the world will turn you into an adult whether you're ready for it or not, so it's best to be cognizant of the learning opportunities and evolve as a person as rapidly as possible. Also, don't take any credit card offers.
I spent an insane amount of time playing SSBM, Mario Kart Double Dash, stealing food from the cafe for late night snacks, walking around the campus cause it was nice (when not a billion degrees below 0). I took like 19 credits each of my first 2 semesters.. honestly didn't spend all much time in the library. It was chill though. I was on a floor with mostly empty rooms, and we all had doubles instead of triples (yay for choosing a no alcohol/smoking dorm). Also played more Magic the Gathering than I'd care to admit. I miss undergrad man, it was fun. It was also really nice being able to walk everywhere and taking like 2 hour shower naps (not really but no limit on hot water = awesome). Pic was the view of my dorm. Not shown, the seagull that would scream its head off every morning at 5, or the softball team that practiced at 6 on sundays... all they did was just yell, no one said "pass me the ball". Blah.
Either your other friend was jealous or it was just very awkward once you two had broken up (if you did). I would try to persuade myself to think this way, but I can't help to think that I will be caught off guard with many things. That shouldn't be too bad, it's already happening to me in High School. My friendships have changed constantly throughout my years of High School. However, I did make a true friend with one of my classmates in Junior year when we both did student exchange in Japan. Now, we talk to each other online almost everyday—despite ourselves being mostly anti-social elsewhere. Yeah... I think I'm alright with my fruit punch. Aha, wow... This is actually very accurate to what some of my friends and I deal with—ashamed to admit it. Anyway, I'm quite curious as to how this all turned out for you in the end. Are you still in the university? How are you managing so far? Who is going to suggest the credit card offers, other students in the university? Do people need to pay their tuition fees that badly? How did your roommate react to you playing video games most of the time? Was he not into gaming, but still acknowledged it? So lucky, my housing registration wasn't completed when I thought I had finished it. I'm probably going to have a party-hard dorm. I guess that's one way to get by...
Add Rocket League and weed to that and you got my non-studying/socialising outside of my house part of uni down to a tee.
He's caught every single pokemon legit, on every game theyve ever made. He also speed run ocarina of time 100% in like 15 hours for his first speed run attempt at school. He wasn't against it at all.
I graduated, and, fortunately, I'm managing to adult pretty successfully. You'll get credit card offers in the mail. Credit card companies (and stores that have in-house credit cards) actively seek out college students to tempt with appealing rates and high credit limits, because they that know newly minted adults are prone to being irresponsible with money. You might accept one and use it to pay your recurring bills, but resist the temptation to spend freely!
Honestly I can't really comment on being a "typical" college student as my freshman year was absolutely shit. However, you learn quickly that college requires you to actually teach yourself how to study, learn, and be an "adult". I'm a commuter student so I don't exactly have any tips or tricks to survive dorming, roommates, or anything related to living away from home. However I can tell you this... Make at least 1 friend who is a commuter. They will be your best bet at freedom if you're stuck living on campus and don't have access to public transport. They will also need you at least once in their 4 years (or more). They have a car, you have a floor, it's win-win. Try to go to class in real clothes (sweatpants/hoodies are real clothes fwiw). It gets really awkward trying to explain why you show up to class in flannel pajamas and bootie slippers. (Trust me, I had class from 4-11PM and would go in my pajamas and get stares like "Dis slob thinks they can sleep in class." when in reality I'd get home just after midnight, brush my teeth, and fall asleep at my desk doing homework. Don't be that kid who eats bags of cheetos and crunches loudly during lecture.... and the doodle dust gets on papers you have to pass backwards. If you're gonna eat, at least do it quietly or save it for breaks. The freshman 15 is real. You can't avoid it. Pace yourself. Attendance isn't necessarily "mandatory", but it's encouraged. But for the love of god, don't go to class when you're sick. No one else needs your germs. Try new things. Campus always has something going on, don't be afraid to step out and do something you'd never see yourself doing. Stupid is as stupid does. Don't feel pressured into things that you know are stupid/dangerous/illegal. Check out clubs you find interesting. My university has all sorts of clubs from sports to videogames to foreign languages. Find something you enjoy and meet others who like it as well. (Currently i'm part of a gaming and anime club.) Always make sure you have $20 in your wallet. It'll save your ass if you're out of meal-swipes, gas for your car, or that last minute project's trifold you need for tomorrow. Coffee is a necessary thing. Don't wait too late to get it before your morning class or the lines will make you late.
as a child my parents were always real strict with me. i was looked at like a problem child and was always in trouble. they grounded me for 8 months no tv computer no friends over nothing....... i went through a deep depression and felt as if i was missing out on great childhood experiences. when i was finally ungrounded being a young teenager living in queens ny shit got real. i wound up sneaking out everynight and being in the street 24/7. i was afraid to miss ANOTHER memory. i ended up getting into a lot of sticky situations. when it came time for college. half my friends went away while the otherhalf(jerkoffs like myself) stayed behind. things only got worse. i signed up for community college in brooklyn where i linked up with a bad crowd and would skip everyday and end up sipping smoking everyday. moral of the story. this all happened because of the feeling that i missed out. and i rushed into anything so i woudn't miss out on anything again. Goodluck with everything, but dont rush into anything your not sure about because you feel you missed out. luckily i cut everyone off met an amazing woman who dont play ( and keeps me in check). we moved in have a child and now we are looking for our first home. Dont make up for lost time. dont do things you dont want to because you feel you missed out.
It was weird. He dumped me but I guess I moved on too quickly so he got really really jealous. What can I say, I'm a hot commodity. wow did i just objectify myself You definitely will be. That's kind of the beauty of college though. Maybe. I don't actually know anything I just like to spew nonsense. You do you. Peer pressure isn't really a thing in college and you'll inevitably find cool people who share your interests. But to be fair, despite what the public advertisements may tell you, drugs are actually kinda cool as long as you use them in moderation and stay away from the scary shit like heroin. Anything is worth trying once, usually sort of sometimes. don't come back to me if you develop some sort of addiction it's your fault for taking advice from people on the internet
Well, unfortunately, my roommate is already hinting that he will pressure me to go to parties when I start college. So if anything happens, I'll blame him instead.
Recent graduate here. Finished up last January, been working in my field since March. I think everyone's experience is different, and no matter what you're gonna look back and miss it, wish you did some stuff different, etc. My only advice would be to experience as much as you possibly can. Join clubs, go to parties, check out events on campus, take your shot with that person you hit it off with in one of your classes, pick up new hobbies, find what makes you happy and get in as much as you can. It might not be as wild and world-changing as the movies make it out to be, but you'll be hitting yourself over missed opportunities when it's over. Also, don't get hung up on stuff. Failed a test? Significant other broke up with you? Oh well, start making new memories. I spent a good chunk of my freshman year moping about my previous relationship coming to an end. Wish I hadn't. If I would have just forced myself to go out and make connections with all the new people I was meeting and getting to know, I would have probably gotten over it a lot quicker. There's my two cents. Also, go to class. Seriously. Go. To. Class.
It was ok. Here's how I'd rank my years at college in terms of enjoyment: 1. 3rd/4th tied 3. 1st 4. 2nd and i think this 5th year wrapping things up will be a blast. First year was cool, definitely didn't make the most of it though. Didn't know people well enough, i don't fuck with the greek system and generally didn't live up t my expectations for my first year of college. Was still fun though, some crazy adventures for sure. Definitely should have tried harder in school since the classes are easiest then and you can create a good GPA padding for the following years, i didn't. You'll have plenty of time to party if thats what you're into. Second year was shit, felt very alone, probably why i started playing this server lol. Moved off campus, lived in a 7 person rotting house with Asbestos and a scammer landlord in which nobody had ever lived on their own before, cooked for themselves, or even really cleaned a bathroom, so it was completely dysfunctional; lots of passive aggression and nobody taking responsibility for themselves. Also got really poor grades in school, really let down my parents who worked so hard to give me the opportunity to get an education here (which I will do for my children one day). But I learned from all that, there were some awful people living in that house, good riddance, but also some really good people who are some of my best friends now. Then that summer I met a ton of really cool people form my school who like all the same shit I do, met an amazing girl and here I am 2 years later probably the happiest I've ever been in my entire life. My GPA is higher by 15% points than it was 2nd year. Basically, just try to keep your expectation to just take it as it comes, be prepared to be open minded and reevaluate how you view things/yourself/the world, and above all else learn from your mistakes when you fuck up, cause you probably will at some point.
Well, here's an update. My dad had dropped me off at orientation (4 days before classes begin) and it wasn't actually as bad as I expected it to be. My roommate is quite prestigious ngl, he was able to hit on at least 7 or more girls just in orientation; though, he didn't leave me hanging either. I can see that he is into parties and all—while I'm not—but he still tries to hang out with me as much as possible. I guess one thing to know is that I am not the only person nervous about the college lifestyle, there are many people like that as well. Also, I think it's best to go to many events, as @Beige had said, especially as early as possible. Hmm, I'll see how these next 4 days will go. I guess my only goal in these next few days is maybe I could find a girl my type... ------ EDIT: Actually, I became a little too outgoing to where people found me awkward... My guess is: MapleRoyals > Party Life
Unfortunately I got into college and started dating. He would talk shit about my friends and I, stupidly, listening to him and turned my back on those. On the second semester he switched schools and we started a long distance relationship but that made me make new friends. Now we've broken up. DO NOT GET A BF/GF ON YOUR FIRST YEAR.
I don't even think I will get one in any of my years. That sucks that someone has to try to enforce negative opinions about your friends. You chose those friends, so it's almost as if he's insulting your interests, right? I remember one of my "friends" from my High School told me to stop playing MapleStory because it was for little children and he even used derogatory terms that I won't repeat. He then insisted that I should play Call of Duty: Black Ops. I'm not a big fan of First-Person Shooter, but I'm intrigued to join a match if my friends go easy on me. He, on the other hand, didn't even like seeing me play MapleStory or searching images of it. Now he goes to a different college and stopped speaking to me. (That's a good thing) Anyway, quick update, it's been half a month now and I've survived without getting heavily peer pressured to go to frat parties. Sure, I may not have an excessive amount of friends on campus—because of this—although I was able to see other quiet people just like me in Anime Club, Public Speaking, and Business class.
