Most people don’t believe me when I tell them the number of students who were in my graduating class. To be fair, it is pretty unbelievable. I wouldn’t believe me either. But…it’s true. I graduated high school with a whopping 15 other people. Most of whom I’d known since we started Kindergarten (no it wasn’t a private school lol). This situation created a unique (sometimes less than ideal) learning experience.
Understandably, the reactions I got when people from my hometown learned that I was going to THE Texas A&M University were mostly surprise and maybe a little concern. My favorite and by far the most common response was: “Wow…that’s going to be a really tough transition.” Thanks Susan…that’s sooo comforting.
As I approach my third full month of college, I can attest that yes… it in fact has been a tough transition. But hey…I think I’m doing just as okay as most other college freshmen. With that being said, I wanted to share with you 5 life changing realizations I’ve made throughout this transition.
1. Nobody Cares (and not in a bad way):
Okay…I don’t know about you but in my high school it seemed that every time anyone said or did something weird it was talked about forever. In some cases literally until we walked the stage. That just isn’t the case in college. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve tripped, dropped a metal water bottle on a concrete floor, confidently yelled out the wrong answer in class, etc. and people just glance for a minute and go about their day. What. A. Luxury.
2. Dating is a Completely Different Ballgame:
For me, dating in high school was…impossible. Like I said, with 16 people in my graduating class, things could be difficult. That includes dating. Most of my classmates were related in one way or another, and those of us that weren’t…felt like we were. Coming to college and meeting new eligible men every single day?? Knowing nothing about them?? NOT knowing the first and last name of their entire family?? Yes please.
3. Nobody Knows (or cares) Who Your Family is:
Okay…I know this had to be the case in other towns, but I feel like it was even more intensified in mine. Everybody. Knew. Everybody. (It didn’t help that my mom taught at my school. Extra yikes.) In elementary school, my parents would know about a “B” on a test before I did and were ready to confront me when I got home. On the rare occasion that I got in trouble (If I did it was usually for talking in class. Wow shocker.), my teachers would say things like “Your parents aren’t going to be very happy.” Spoiler: this hasn’t happened to me yet in college…I’ll keep you updated though.
4. People of All Kinds Coexist and it’s Amazing:
Even with my tiny town and tinier school, I was by no means closed off from the world. I’ve traveled and spent plenty of time in big cities. With that being said, it was such a culture shock to get to college and realize just how many different types of people exist in this one Texas town. In my first month of college I met more people from different states/ countries than I did from Texas. I can say confidently that this is one of my favorite parts of college so far, seeing people from ALL different backgrounds living and learning together. It makes my heart happy <3.
5. College is Heaven Compared to High School:
At least in my opinion, college is an oasis compared to high school. As I’ve already established, my high school was its own unique experience (so literally not a single soul may relate to this). The amount of times I got in trouble in high school for cHeWiNg gUm is astonishing. Also for wearing ripped jeans??? (My school had this whole “No skin, No sin” rule and honestly that’s a different article in itself.) Like…have you ever thought about the fact that for a good chunk of your life you had to ASK PERMISSION to use the restroom. That didn’t hit me until this semester. (On the real, I highly recommend walking out of a lecture to use the restroom. It’s freeing.) Basically, I have come to the conclusion that high school is a social construct to make people realize how great college is.
When all is said and done, whether you are in a class of 16 or a class of over 10,000, adjustment can be scary. It can also be one of the most magical times of your life, and the beginning of learning who you truly are.