Originally published: 9/6/2016 | 1:13pm
I'm back from yet another hiatus! (Yes, I know this happens frequently. Please keep in mind that I am a very busy student.) Speaking of student, I figured it was time for me to discuss the culture that surrounds the life of a college student. I've been wanting to write a piece on this for a long time. With it being back-to-school time, I figured this was the best time to write and post this. So, if you're a parent, prospective or current college student, or even just someone who enjoys reading my blog posts, here's the chance to see college life from my everyday observations!
Everyone Gets Lost or Confused (at some point)
Suddenly, just a few short months after graduating high school, you're off to college! (if you choose to do so) You have to actually be an adult and get stuff done without someone telling you to. This is extremely difficult if that's not something you're accustomed to. You have to find your way around a campus and the town you go to school in, and it's not always easy! Some people work through their confusion faster than others, but if you don't know where you are going or what you should be doing just ask for help on a school Facebook group or a passing stranger. These are great resources when you need help!
Strangers May Soon Become a Friendly Face
Whether you attend a small or large school, one thing that holds true is that you won't know each and every single one of your peers. However, you can overcome possibly not knowing anyone by introducing yourself to people. This isn't to say that you'll meet your new best friend or future spouse (but you might!). What I'm really getting at is part of the college lifestyle is talking to people you don't know. It well may be that you will never meet again {in this lifetime} (yes, I quoted 'For Good' from Wicked), but at least you can't say you never met someone new.
FREE, FREE, FREE!!!
The excitement over anything with the word "free" in its description is real! Students will flock to free t-shirts, food, and anything else. Why is that? Simple. College students are usually broke, meaning anything "free" that they can get their hands on is automatically deemed as treasure. Students in college are sure to have great patience after spending so much time standing in long lines for all the free things that they can get on or near campus.
Greek Life
This is a norm for almost all college campuses in the United States. I honestly can't speak much on this since I am not in a sorority and don't personally know anyone in a fraternity. However, I can say that the friendships and special bonds that come out of these organizations are unlike any other.
Stress!
I am 99.9% positive that stress is just a natural part of college culture. It's extremely rare to find a student that isn't stressed out. Finding ways to minimize stress is necessary, so always research healthy ways of doing so!
Studying
Crucial for academic success. Also, something that can give you stress. (Exams in college just are not easy.) Study efficiently (whatever that may mean to you). Form study groups. This doesn't always work well for everyone, but it never hurts to try. So, gather a few of those strangers in your chemistry course and hit the books (they may even become your friends)!
Sports
Few things can get school pride and spirit going more than sports. It doesn't matter if you have good or bad sports teams. For some reason, school spirit is always heightened at sporting events. Watch parties, tailgating, student sections at the games---school pride will be present. Stay true to your school, folks.
Party People
College parties, where the fun never seems to stop. There's parties that happen in the middle of the week, and, of course, once the weekend comes along. Many college students take part in the fun (both legal and illegal) at parties to celebrate passing one of their exams or just making it through another week of classes. It's perfectly fine to have some fun and enjoy your life. Just make sure that you do so safely. You'll want to be able to remember the great time that you had.
Now I could go on and on about all of the things that make up college culture, but that would make this blog post too long. I also do not have intentions of doing several installations on this topic because every college campus has an even more unique culture that is specific to that school. I just wanted to share information about general college culture in as condensed form as possible. With that being said, WELCOME BACK TO SCHOOL, EVERYONE!
Feel free to leave comments below, tweet (@KimiThoughts), or leave a post/message on Facebook (@KimisTravelThoughts) and let me know if there's anything I missed about college culture in this post or your experience with these aspects of college culture!
