Expectations Vs. Reality: Making Your First Year Of College LIT

Spoiler alert: College is a lot of fun!

1. Expectation: Your social life will never be more than poppin' than in college.

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Reality: During your time in college, there will be ample opportunity to meet people and make new friends. Some people will become besties with their roommate(s) while others will live out their #squadgoal dreams through the student organizations they join. There's no one way to meet people in college sometimes it may take a few tries. Being authentically you is the major key to finding your place on campus.

2. Expectation: Your weekend calendar will be filled with parties

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Reality: Sure, you will hear and probably attend a few parties yourself while in college but, there will be a lot of other things you'll finding yourself doing with friends on the weekends too. It's definitely cool to spend a Saturday night watching the latest Netflix original show with friends, or go to a late night activity sponsored by your school. Your friends' Snapchat stories might have you feeling FOMO, but do what's right for you.

3. Expectation: Moving away from home means that you now have the freedom to do whatever you want to do

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Reality: As Uncle Ben said, "With great power comes great responsibility." College marks for many the first opportunity to develop "adulting skills. Make sure to schedule in time to take care of yourself- whether that means, finally getting around to do your laundry or, to fit in time to get a workout in. Take the time to build healthy habits that will set you up for success.

4. Expectation: College will be so much fun that you won't be thinking of home at all

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Reality: Adjusting to a new environment can be difficult. It's totally okay to want to call home or want to FaceTime your high school friends. You might also feel pressure to break up with your significant other from back home. It's important that no matter how busy you get in college to continue to make time to speak to loved ones back home.

5. Expectation: Taking classes in your major will help confirm your choice of wanting to be a doctor at age 12

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Reality: During your first-year of college, you will most likely be taking most of your general required courses. As you begin to take more advanced courses, you might realize that your interests have shifted. It's okay to change your major or take some time to figure out what you want to do. In fact, 70% of students change their major at least once in college.

6. Expectation: "I only have four classes this semester! I won't have THAT much work to do!"

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Reality: In college, professors will expect you to do more work independently outside of class and will cover more material in a period. While it might be tempting to skip a class to catch up on sleep, or to wait until the night before to do a major assignment, don't let procrastination get the best of you. The general rule of thumb is for every hour of class you have, you should be spending two hours outside of it getting ready for it.

7. Expectation: College me will be RADICALLY different from high school me

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Reality: While change is inevitable, it's also a process. It's good to come in to college with personal goals and ambitions, but who you are as a person don't just change overnight. Surround yourself with people who genuinely care about you, open yourself up to new experiences, and challenge yourself to be the best version of you.