So... What’s College Really Like?

Victoria Wolf editor-in-chief

College is a scary transition for many high school graduates, with adulthood and a new chapter beginning. Although not everyone takes the college path, it can provide students with the time and opportunity to learn about themselves and their futures.

College price tags can be high which leads many to take out student loans to help aid the cost of pursuing an undergraduate degree. According to the US Department of Education as of 2021, the average amount of student debt for an undergraduate degree was $27,800 after graduation. With the high price tag that college poses for many, there are benefits offered to enrolled students. 2022 Sheldon graduate Emily Mitchell, now attending University of Oregon, advises freshmen to “take advantage of the free resources and activity nights your school provides because you’re paying lots of money in fees, so you should use everything available to you.” College programs attract students to help set themselves up for success, not only academically, but also mentally and emotionally while dealing with college coursework.

Friday Night Lights and other athletic events in college provide students with the opportunity to escape from schoolwork. 2022 Sheldon graduate Chris Coven, now the football recruiting assistant for Northern Arizona University, elaborated on the difference from high school football games: “There’s a lot more energy at the [college] games because people from all over the state come to watch the games. Knowing that there are thousands of strangers all rooting for the same team is amazing.” College football teams are composed of future professional athletes, making games more intense and exciting for fans to watch.

Mitchell is pro-college football, and stated, “Go to the sports games. You get free tickets as a student and it’s worth it.” Although she is not directly involved in sports, Mitchell plays the flute in the Oregon Marching Band, bringing the Duck spirit to fall football games.

As the school year comes to a close, Sheldon says goodbye to the senior class of 2023, while they say hello to college as the class of 2027. Memories that students make in high school carry on in their adult lives, especially those made with friends. 2021 Sheldon graduate Emma Reposa, also attending the University of Oregon, encouraged seniors to spend more time with friends: “Throughout high school, I was always so busy with sports or band that I wasn’t able to spend time with my friends outside of a school setting.” As friends split apart after graduation in different places to pursue their future paths, high school starts to become a memory and the class of 2023’s bright path starts to illuminate.