Many students are confused about what to expect when they go off to college — and it doesn’t help that there’s a large number of myths circulating. Let’s clear up some of the most widely-spread myths and look at the truth behind them.
- College Students Don’t Get Homesick
Heading off to college is exciting, and many students look forward to it all summer. However, this doesn’t mean that you won’t miss the people and the familiar setting you’re leaving behind. It’s normal to feel homesick when you first arrive and everything is new — although almost everyone does settle in quite quickly. - Living with Your Best Friends Always Goes Badly
The warning against living with your best friends does make sense, as your friends may have quite different lifestyles to you, which could put a strain on your relationship. If you are compatible as roommates, though, living together could strengthen your friendship — plus, will mean you always have someone to confide in at home. - College Is One Big Party
Whereas parties can be part of the college experience, most students don’t party all the time. This is because it’s impossible to keep up with your academics if you’re spending all your time socializing. You should definitely make sure you have time for fun, but your main reason for going to college is to earn a credential — and this requires studying hard. - You Should Avoid Challenging Classes
Some students avoid classes they know are likely to be challenging because they’re worried about seeing a drop in their grades. Whereas you do want to avoid classes you know you’ll find too difficult, there’s nothing wrong with pushing yourself. Choose classes according to what you’ll find interesting and beneficial rather than whatever you think you’ll pass easily. - College Is No More Difficult Than High School
You’ll quickly discover that college is completely different from high school. You may have achieved good grades in high school without having to put in much effort — but you’ll likely find that you need to work harder in college. To succeed, you’ll need to study several hours a day, attend classes even when your professor doesn’t take attendance, and start working on assignments long before they’re due. - You Should Sign Up for as Many Extracurriculars as Possible
Doing a couple extracurriculars will enrich the college experience, but signing up for too many will be overwhelming. Not only will you be unable to keep up with your academics and other commitments, you’ll find you get less out of your clubs because you need to divide your time between them. By all means, explore the various possibilities available to you, but try to pick just those that interest you the most.
Another myth is that you need to live in student residence for at least the first year. In fact, it’s always better to live off campus for the greater freedom, privacy, and comfort this gives you. You can find off-campus Fleming College housing at Severn Court. You’ll have a bedroom with its own door lock and thermostat, you won’t need a meal plan, and you’ll be living right across from campus. Contact us to be matched with roommates or to request a unit to share with friends.
