As you prepare for college, you’ll inevitably be fed a crock full of garbage. Ranging from misunderstandings and rumors to a straight out lie, there are a lot of legends circling about the daily life of a college student in America. If you’re about to be one of them, consider these myths debunked:
The Freshmen 15 is Inevitable Myth
Just because, you’re living away from home, doesn’t mean you have to pack on the pounds. Most freshmen who gain weight can blame it on poor nutrition, alcohol consumption and lack of exercise and sleep. Avoid this pitfall by finding balance in your college life. Take advantage of your meal card instead of living on fast food and pizza. Drink at least one glass of water for every other beverage you drink. Give yourself a reasonable amount of time to sleep each night. Schedule exercise into your daily routine, even if it’s just walking to class when you could drive.
Freakishly Large Classes
Not true. While you’ll undoubtedly be stuck in a few 300-plus freshmen lectures, many college classes average about 20-30 students a class. Especially when you get further along in your major, you’ll find yourself in smaller classes where you can get to know your peers and professors on a much more intimate level.
You’ll Rack Up Crazy Amounts of Debt
A college education — plus, all the living expenses that go with it — can be expensive, but it doesn’t require excess debt. The U.S. Department of Education offers several types of federal student aid, including grants, work-study and low-interest loans that can help make college affordable. Plus, most colleges have tons of scholarships and financial aid for incoming and current students. While in college, consider searching online for jobs and working on campus, in an internship or nearby to help offset the costs while boosting your resume.
Dress Codes
Oh, but there is. While some college professors may be less concerned about your clothing choices than your high school teachers were, there are still a few housekeeping items to be aware of — and one in particular. Don’t wear another college’s gear on campus — it shows a lack of school spirit and dampens morally. Even if, you aren’t going to the big game on Friday, be aware that there is one. You wouldn’t want to show up to school accidentally wearing the rival team’s colors.
Class Attendance Isn’t Mandatory
It varies. Some professors will claim attendance is necessary, three weeks later; however, you’ll know the wiser. Others won’t take roll, but taking notes during the lecture will be the only way you can pass with an A. Even if you know you can skip without anyone noticing, hold yourself to some kind of standard. As a rule of thumb, only skip class if you’re sick or could be spending the time more efficiently doing something else.
Your Major Determines Your Career
Not always. It’s normal to take a few semesters to choose a major, and even switch a few times after you do. Give yourself time to find what you’re interested in and good at. Then remember there are multiple career opportunities for every major, so you may end up doing something completely different from what you thought you would do when you graduated.
The Week of Finals Sucks
False. Whether you’re prepared, or not will ultimately affect the outcome of finals week, but the actual week isn’t brutal. There are no classes, and if you’re lucky, you’ll only have one or two finals a day. That usually means you have the rest of the day to study, socialize or better yet sleep. Midterms, on the other hand, are from hell.