7 answers
Diomedes
Student
Lynn, Massachusetts
1
Question
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What is the college life like?
I'm pretty nervous about college and to see if it's going to be really hard. # #help #college-advice
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7 answers
Nakia King-Harris
Lead Experience Manager
7
Answers
New Jersey, New Jersey
Updated
Nakia’s Answer
College can be an amazing experience, but it's all about what you put into it. Make sure you go in with the mindset of studying is your top priority. As long as you are putting plenty of time into studying, you should be able to learn the material and it won't seem too hard. If you have difficulty learning the material, make sure you ask your professor for help early. Don't wait because the material is not likely to get easier. But most of all, just stay focused on what your end goal is, and that should be to get a good education so that you can have a successful fulfilling career.
Robyn Snyder
13
Answers
Updated
Robyn’s Answer
You likely have lots of freedom, opportunities to meet new people and often many new distractions as well. Try not to be excessive in any one item or distraction, while taking advantage of all of the opportunities and life experiences as possible.
Christine Crump
Service Executive at AT&T
8
Answers
Sacramento, California
Updated
Christine’s Answer
College is very different than high school. But I would not say that it is HARD .. Challenging is a better description. With that being said, anything new and outside of your comfort zone can seem difficult at first. The main thing is to go in with a positive outlook. Know that you are not alone in your apprehension. There are plenty of support systems available for your success at the collegiate level - DO NOT BE AFRAID to reach out for SUPPORT! And utilize TEACHER's OFFICE HOURS to discuss how things are going, as teacher's really are in support of your success. The biggest adjustments for me were TIME MANAGEMENT & STUDYING. I was a good student in high school but once at college quickly discovered that I had poor study habits. Spending time on mastering those two key components of college life will ensure your success!!! PRIORITIZE early on. And after saying all that, COLLEGE was the BEST DAYS of my life!! HAVE FUN!!! and learn something...;)
Ryan Pfeiffer, MA
Firefighter Lieutenant / EMT
104
Answers
Fort Collins, Colorado
Updated
Ryan’s Answer
I would say that there is no blanket statement that can be made about what college life is like. The answer is somewhat dependent on where you go to school, but it mostly dependent on you and your attitude.
I know people who selected a school and major because they thought it would be easiest. They attended the bare minimum number of classes required, put forth the minimum effort needed to pass their exams, and spent all of their remaining free time socializing, partying, or otherwise enjoying themselves. College life, for them, was not at all stressful. For most, perhaps not all, but most of these people I knew were in for a very rude awakening after graduation. Not only is a Bachelor's Degree not as valuable as they'd been led to believe, but their C average GPA, and complete lack of work ethic and work experience led them exactly nowhere. Most now work jobs they could have gotten straight out of high school, without wasting 4-years and tens of thousands of tuition dollars.
Alternatively, there were those like myself who took things to the other extreme. I awoke at 6am daily to participate in military officer training. Then went to class most of the day. I would take a 2-3 hour nap in the afternoon, and then go to work on a volunteer ambulance until 1 or 2am. Catch another 2-3 hour nap, and repeat. My college life was very stressful; I learned a lot about myself and my own limitations, and had relatively little fun. But, it made me who I am today. I walked away from college with not just a degree and a good job, but some very tremendous work experience, leadership experience, and self-awareness.
In summary, you will get out of college what you put into it. You can find many shortcuts that will make it easier if you want or need that. But I would encourage you to push your own limits, take risks, challenge yourself, do extra, and chase every interesting opportunity you hear about. You don't have to be as much of a workaholic as I was, but there are advantages. Most leadership opportunities in college (student government, student clubs, societies, intramural athletics, etc.) have built in safety nets. Take advantage of these opportunities to experiment with your personal work and leadership style, because WHEN you fail (every new leader does), the consequences will be minor. If you blow off those opportunities, and wait to start to experiment with your leadership style until you're in the real world, your failures will affect real people and their families.
Don't be afraid of failure in college. If you never fail at anything, it means you aren't challenging yourself enough. You will learn more from your failures than your successes.
I know people who selected a school and major because they thought it would be easiest. They attended the bare minimum number of classes required, put forth the minimum effort needed to pass their exams, and spent all of their remaining free time socializing, partying, or otherwise enjoying themselves. College life, for them, was not at all stressful. For most, perhaps not all, but most of these people I knew were in for a very rude awakening after graduation. Not only is a Bachelor's Degree not as valuable as they'd been led to believe, but their C average GPA, and complete lack of work ethic and work experience led them exactly nowhere. Most now work jobs they could have gotten straight out of high school, without wasting 4-years and tens of thousands of tuition dollars.
Alternatively, there were those like myself who took things to the other extreme. I awoke at 6am daily to participate in military officer training. Then went to class most of the day. I would take a 2-3 hour nap in the afternoon, and then go to work on a volunteer ambulance until 1 or 2am. Catch another 2-3 hour nap, and repeat. My college life was very stressful; I learned a lot about myself and my own limitations, and had relatively little fun. But, it made me who I am today. I walked away from college with not just a degree and a good job, but some very tremendous work experience, leadership experience, and self-awareness.
In summary, you will get out of college what you put into it. You can find many shortcuts that will make it easier if you want or need that. But I would encourage you to push your own limits, take risks, challenge yourself, do extra, and chase every interesting opportunity you hear about. You don't have to be as much of a workaholic as I was, but there are advantages. Most leadership opportunities in college (student government, student clubs, societies, intramural athletics, etc.) have built in safety nets. Take advantage of these opportunities to experiment with your personal work and leadership style, because WHEN you fail (every new leader does), the consequences will be minor. If you blow off those opportunities, and wait to start to experiment with your leadership style until you're in the real world, your failures will affect real people and their families.
Don't be afraid of failure in college. If you never fail at anything, it means you aren't challenging yourself enough. You will learn more from your failures than your successes.
Sam Alexander, PMP
Career Coaching & Management
8
Answers
Arlington, Virginia
Updated
Sam’s Answer
Diomedes,
First off, you are not alone in being nervous about college, or any big life event. When you get there, there will be lots of others who are nervous, anxious and unsure of things. There will be others who roll into it like it's nothing and more who are pretending it's nothing. You'll make new friends, some you'll have for life.
If the social aspects are seem intimidating, remember to go in with an open mind and be open about yourself. There will be opportunities for new experiences, to work with people from different backgrounds and every interaction is a chance to learn something new. Academically, you'll likely be challenged but you will have lots of available resources to help. There are tutors, student study groups and your professors. Don't give up on anything that seems hard, you'll find a way through. I once took a class that everyone told me I would not succeed at.
I could go on, but it's going to seem more complicated than it is. Stay organized, focused and most of all, don't be afraid to ask questions! Ask professors for help, friends about their lives, counselors for guidance. Be kind to everyone and, see where you can help others.
College is a wonderful time, where possibilities are endless. You'll do fine, just keep telling yourself that and if never, ever be afraid to ask for help.
Best of luck!
-Sam
First off, you are not alone in being nervous about college, or any big life event. When you get there, there will be lots of others who are nervous, anxious and unsure of things. There will be others who roll into it like it's nothing and more who are pretending it's nothing. You'll make new friends, some you'll have for life.
If the social aspects are seem intimidating, remember to go in with an open mind and be open about yourself. There will be opportunities for new experiences, to work with people from different backgrounds and every interaction is a chance to learn something new. Academically, you'll likely be challenged but you will have lots of available resources to help. There are tutors, student study groups and your professors. Don't give up on anything that seems hard, you'll find a way through. I once took a class that everyone told me I would not succeed at.
I could go on, but it's going to seem more complicated than it is. Stay organized, focused and most of all, don't be afraid to ask questions! Ask professors for help, friends about their lives, counselors for guidance. Be kind to everyone and, see where you can help others.
College is a wonderful time, where possibilities are endless. You'll do fine, just keep telling yourself that and if never, ever be afraid to ask for help.
Best of luck!
-Sam
Katya Lev
Financial center manager
117
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Katya’s Answer
Hi Ryan, you probably more exited then nervous. Going into college- think as another stair step in your life. This is a new challenge ,yet another place where you most likely will meet great people and make long term friends. Taking classes is different then being in high school because you get to choose what subjects besides requirements will take and study. You have an option to even choose which professor should want to be taught. So, this about it as it’s a way for you to make choices for the better of your future.
Learning in college-most likely you will spend many late nights and staying up studying and preparing for the exams-but keep in mind0 you are doing it for you and nobody else. College offers many internal programs that you could join based on your interests- and I recommend that you do-you will be surrounded by a group of people who have the same interests.
When I was in college-mi was nervous the first months as I was getting adjusted but then you meet people and your experience turns into a good one where I was looking forward goin in every day.
It’s a good place to begin your networking. You will have an opportunity to spend time with your professors and get valuable information specifically around your career. College offers mock interviews, career building, writing resumes, sending you to jobs and internships -so be exited and embrace this new journey.
Learning in college-most likely you will spend many late nights and staying up studying and preparing for the exams-but keep in mind0 you are doing it for you and nobody else. College offers many internal programs that you could join based on your interests- and I recommend that you do-you will be surrounded by a group of people who have the same interests.
When I was in college-mi was nervous the first months as I was getting adjusted but then you meet people and your experience turns into a good one where I was looking forward goin in every day.
It’s a good place to begin your networking. You will have an opportunity to spend time with your professors and get valuable information specifically around your career. College offers mock interviews, career building, writing resumes, sending you to jobs and internships -so be exited and embrace this new journey.
Jenna Houser
Sales manager
7
Answers
Chicago, Illinois
Updated
Jenna’s Answer
This is a good question but there isn’t a book on it. My advise is you put into it as much as you get out of it. Being nervous is a normal feeling going off to college. I believe everyone gets nervous because its the uncertain feeling. My advise is go in with a positive attitude and learn as much as you can. Network with people that will help you have a success adventure. College is the 1st stepping stone of your adult life. You will make mistakes, just make sure you learn from them and grow. You have many people supporting you. Have fun and good luck!