5 Myths about College The school year is half over and high school seniors are beginning to look forward to graduation, a summer of freedom and they are starting to fill out college applications. College freshmen, on the other hand are likely recovering from their first round of finals and the reality of college life is beginning to settle in. Movies, the media, older siblings, and urban myth have, throughout the years perpetuated a variety of myths surrounding the college lifestyle. Additionally, changing cultural trends have shifted the traditional college experience to include some things that simply didn’t exist even 10 years ago. Below are 5 common myths and the truth behind them.
The “Freshman 15” This myth may have held more truth a couple of decades ago when high fat, carb loaded, super processed foods were the main dish on every dining plan. These days the emphasis on healthy, nutritious food means that even your dining plan has the variety that you need to eat right. Many schools also provide gym discounts or give students free access to exercise equipment and facilities.
Greek Life = Party Life This myth has been made infamous by the movies and media. Images of togas and bottle blonde soon-to-be Stepford Wives dance through our heads when we think about fraternities and sororities. While the frat life may not be entirely untrue, the constant party is definitely a myth. Most Greek houses are founded and run on principles like academics, philanthropy, entrepreneurship, and service.
Don’t Go Undeclared! Many first year students feel pressure to declare a major and figure out what to do with their life. The thing is, most students have not even discovered the thing that they will want to spend the rest of their life pursuing. Instead of declaring a major immediately, get your core classes out of the way and explore your options as you go. This way you won’t lose credits by changing majors, and you’ll be much more confident in your choice and more likely to stick with it.
Good grades mean non-stop studying and no social life. This is one of the biggest and most overwhelming myths out there. College is hard because you are learning to manage your own life for the first time, but with a little time management, consistency, and dedication, you can get good grades, minimize study time, and enjoy a full social calendar. Creating dedicated time and space for studying every day allows you to prepare for tests instead of cram and pace yourself without being overwhelmed.