The "College" Attitude?

Question

It's really incredible, people in college are so different from random people outside of college.

People in college seem very self-assured, independent, articulate, and assertive. It's such a strange transition from high school. This is my freshman year, and there's no way I can compete. Does college make people develop this sort of personality, or does it simply attract those with it in the first place?

I hope I can be like that one day. I don't want to be the needy little girl who doesn't know anything. So what explains it besides age? Because I notice a difference between college students & the general population, too.

Answer 1

You have just started your freshman year. You will soon find out that people in college are really not *that* different from the same jerk wads you knew in high school. There are still plenty of "needy little girls" in their senior year of college who call mom and dad whenever they break a toe nail. I know. I've had them as room mates.

College can be a great personal experience if you want it to be and if you are open to growing up. Unfortunately, I cannot tell you how many people are in my school who are unwilling to become adults and want to be in school forever, getting their monthly wire transfer from their parents.

Answer 2

It is probably a combination, and it depends on where you are in school. I notice that with some of my students at my current school, but not so much with the last place where I taught.

My goal for my students is to develop confidence in their own abilities. I do see definite changes between the time they come in as freshmen and the time the graduate, and I'm sure you will eventually be that way too (to other people, you may seem more confident than you realize. We are always most critical of ourselves).

Answer 3

Education is an investment in your self. As you learn new things about the world and are exposed to new ways of thinking, you will gain confidence in your newfound successes and abilities. College is such an incredible time and experience in life! Enjoy it and you will discover more about the world and your interests than you ever could have imagined.

Best wishes.

Answer 4

I know exactly what you mean. I'm in my third year of college right now, and I feel miles ahead of many of my friends and peers that I graduated high school with that didn't go off to school.

I think that it has to do with just living it. Moving out, paying your own bills, worrying about your grades and finances for yourself and seeing yourself become successful just kinda does it. I think it's the greatest learning experience I've ever had thus far in life, and I wouldn't trade it for the world. I love that everything I have and do is all thanks to my own doing.