What to Expect When You're Expecting: College

By Juliana Matthews on April 25, 2013

 

 

I remember this time last year, I was preparing for the last AP exams I’d ever have to take, thinking about if I’d ever find a date to prom, and fantasizing about the awesome life that I would have in college. At UF I’d excel in all my classes, have the best friends with whom to make the best memories, take random and crazy road trips, all while having ample amounts of free time to relax. Then I got here; and while I have found a balance to do nearly all the above, it occurred in a way I was not expecting. Just as soon-to-be parents read about what to expect when they’re expecting a child, here’s what to expect when you’re expecting college.

Expect rain. It always happens. And most likely, it’ll downpour at the worst moments. However, it is what you make of it. The first few weeks it might be stressful when it rains five hours, making it even more difficult to find your classes for the first time. Even so, you can look at the rain as the ultimate challenge and run through a torrential rainstorm with your equally-drenched friends just to get a taco at Moe’s. Although you can put whatever spin you want on it, always expect rain.

Expect to increase your caffeine consumption dramatically. I have moved up the rankings from one cup of coffee in the mornings to several cups in the mornings and a cup or two of tea in the afternoons — and of course the extra large coffees when you know you’ll be staying up all night to finish an assignment. Think of caffeine as your best friend, and consume it regularly.

Expect professors. Seems obvious. But expect them to be what their title deems: intelligent people –some who can teach, and some who can’t. You’ll have teachers who you can’t understand or who seem as if they consciously decide to terrorize your life for a semester. But then you’ll have a wise professor who pours out her heart to teach you all the information she knows within one semester, and whose class you don’t want to leave on the last day. Treasure those classes and professors and absorb all they have to offer: they’ll change your life forever

Expect to form the best friendships of your life. You’ll meet the most fascinating people in your dorm and classes with whom you can have intelligent, goofy, and heartfelt conversations at all hours of the day…or night. You’ll also solidify your friendships with old friends. Even though a new environment might place some pressure on your relationship, know that good friends can make it through anything and will always come out stronger for it. These are the people who will share the rest of life with you; when you find them, don’t let go.

Last of all, the biggest expectation I’ve acquired — and you will too — is to not expect anything. Life will throw you curveballs, some good and some bad, that will impact you in far-reaching ways you may not realize until many days, months, or years later. College is a time to meet new people, learn new things, and experience the world. Plan all you want, but know that in a split second, all your plans may be thrown out the window and a door will open to something bigger and better.

Enjoy college; live every day in the moment; expect the unexpected; make this time count.

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