Growing up, I was told to graduate high school, head to college, get my degree and hopefully I would land a good job. It all seemed so straightforward. But no one told me how much of a wake-up call to reality college would be.
In high school, my teachers constantly told me that college would be strict; the structure would be more intense. They would warn me if I was late to class, then I shouldn’t bother showing up.
No phones. No food. No drinks. Everything was supposed to be about discipline, about preparing for a future in the working world where rules were rigid and expectations were high.
But here’s the thing: no one tells you that college is the exact opposite of that. You walk into your first class, maybe a little late and looking like a lost puppy, expecting everyone to stare. Or worse, expecting a comment from the professor about your delay. But instead? No one cares. No one's checking if you’re taking notes, if you’ve got your phone out or even if you leave early.
I'll never forget my first day — I had my notebook and pen ready, my phone shut off and away in my bag just like I had in high school, only to look around and realize I was the only one without a laptop and off my phone. Everything I was told about college seemed to be a myth; I felt so embarrassed.
There were no strict late arrival policies, rules about food or drinks in class, or rules about what I could and could not wear. High school made me think I’d be scrutinized for every move I made, but college is laid back in ways I could have never imagined.
But here’s the thing: while college is more relaxed in ways, no one prepares you for how much responsibility falls on your shoulders. Teachers hovered over you about attendance and deadlines in high school, but in college, you’re on your own. Professors might not care if you show up, but that means you have to care for yourself.
The independence I craved in high school came with more weight than I anticipated. It’s freeing, but it’s also overwhelming. And most importantly, it’s scary.
Looking back, high school didn’t prepare me for college in the way I expected, but that’s the point. College pushes you into a position where you’re responsible for figuring things out on your own. The structure is gone, and suddenly, you’re the one who has to build it.
Your first night away from home might feel like too much.
You might cry from the weight of it all — the fear of the unknown, and the distance from your family — and that’s okay. I remember calling my mom in tears after my first attempt at laundry ended with water all over the floor. She laughed and said, “Adult life isn’t easy, is it?” That moment made me realize something important: college isn’t about knowing everything from the start — it’s about learning as you go.
It’s about the mistakes, the calls home, the anxiety of the unknown, all the burnt toasts and the trial and error of becoming independent.
Even though high school didn’t prepare me for college in the way I thought it would, it taught me the value of friendships, structure and the reality that if you want something in life, you must work for it. All four years of college made me realize that it’s not just about grades or a degree — it’s about growing up. It’s about learning how to do laundry, figuring out how to cook, and understanding that sometimes, you won’t have the answers. And that’s okay.
So if you’re in that space, especially in your first year, feeling lost or afraid, know this: it’s completely normal. You don’t have to have everything figured out; sometimes taking that leap of faith in yourself is all you need. Life is like a mountain, and you must climb those hills. You may stumble and make mistakes, but those are crucial steps in finding your way in life.
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