What is something that nobody told you about college and was a shocker when you got there?

Question

I'm a senior in High School and everybody seems to give me the same ole' advice about college and its not very helpful....so, thanks for the answers!

Answer 1

*Professors do NOT hover over your shoulder to make sure you get your work done. Often, they will not warn you or even care if you are getting an "F." You really need to take the responsibility of scheduling your work time AND keeping track of your grades (using your syllabi from each class, because all professors grade differently.)

*You get to make your own schedule! (at least most colleges.) At my school, the orientation advisors told me I "had" to take a Friday class, it was inevitable so "don't even try" to schedule any days off. This was total B.S. - hardly any students take Friday classes once they realize what's up. They just tell the Freshmen that because it's very expensive to keep the school open each day and they want to make sure that the classrooms aren't empty on Fridays. Every school is different though.

*You have to buy your own textbooks, supplies, lab materials, art materials, bubble sheets for tests, photocopies and printouts, etc. It really adds up, but you can save money by going to a used text store near the campus. I even photocopied several textbooks myself before the return date. It took a few hours each semester, but I saved several hundered dollars. It's illegal though, so you can't ask the copy store to do it for you.

Answer 2

Spend the first 2 weeks in Fincial aid if you don't have rich parent's find out about every grant, funding whatever you can. I didn't learn crap about Finacial aid until my Junoir year, if you don't ask they won't tell you. Then I realized there is alot of free money out there for college students. So pay attention to the funds, alot of kids go kicked out of school because in November they realized that there wasn't enough money to pay the tuition.

One more thing, you Do have to pay for your books and they are not cheap I'm talking like 800 bucks for one semester's worth of classes depending on what you take, so save some money from that summer job. You will need it, I promise.

Other than that everything else you will just have to adjust to as you go. The first two weeks are like a big slumber party. I'd suggest buying things for your dorm now. THats less money you and your parents will have to spend later. Just put it in storage unitil it's time. Oh the cafeteria food, oh man you better have a good amount of TP something about that food just makes you have to go often.

Otherwise college is a great experiece and you will find out alot about yourself. No parents around and no one to impress just be your self and have fun.

Answer 3

I was surprised at how hectic registration can be in a university setting. The lines were long (and got longer as people jumped in front of you) and sometimes a class was closed out because too many people signed up for it.

Answer 4

College chicks are off the chain! But that may not be very helpful to you. Um. Let's see. Mind altering substances were everywhere - I wasn't ready for that.

Answer 5

That by joining student government you actually get to control school funds

Answer 6

how inexperienced some of the other kids were at being away from home and how much easier it was to schedule my time. I had to work harder to make sure I got to class.

Answer 7

Textbooks are VERY expensive. Make sure you have some funds availalbe for those!

Answer 8

That Freshman year is a roller coaster of emotions.

Answer 9

Student loans! If your parents cannot afford to pay your way you will have student loans that you will be paying off forever!

Answer 10

Hang on to your sylabus!!!! The teacher could care less if you show up and if you study but you sure will believe me!!!!!!!!!