Freshman year is completely terrifying in itself. Well, more like the idea of freshman year in college. You are in a new place with new people, have a completely different class schedule than you’ve ever had before, and a whole bunch of free time. Truthfully, yes, you have all of those things, but you also have plenty of time for naps, new people that you will become best friends with, the opportunity to find yourself and pursue things you enjoy, and free time that you can spend adventuring with your new friends. Either way, when you are first going to college, you are going to hear plenty of freshman year myths. Whether it is from friends, parents, or the most guilty culprit-past teachers, most of freshman year myths can be busted. Or er, proved wrong. I’ve been watching too many episodes of MythBusters since I’ve been home.
So with that in mind, I set out to help you guys! Because how are you supposed to know what to believe or not? So, I set out and talked to a whole bunch of my amazing blogger friends (go check out their blogs for more college stuff!) to figure out the freshman year myths that they heard before or in college, and now I’m here to give you the real truth. No worries, lovelies. You’ve got this.
Freshman Year Myths:
“I think one of the most obvious [myths] is that it will only take 4 years to graduate.” -Michelle from lookthroughmylensblog
Yes, this is true-it might take you more than 4 years to graduate, especially with all of the students who have double majors or multiple minors. Then again, if you work really hard, you can make it in time with just a major and a minor-typically. It’s really up to you and how many credits you decide to take each semester. Either way-not finishing in four years does not make you a failure in ANY WAY. You hear me? So many students have to take an extra semester or two, so don’t feel bad if you have to as well.
“A huge myth is that professors won’t care about you! Professors do in fact care about you and how you do in their class, if you are willing to show them that you care too. Do they homework, ask questions in class, GO TO CLASS, don’t sit in the very back by the door, and go to office hours. When you develop a relationship with a professor, your chances of understanding and doing well in the class are that much higher.” -Mikkaela from thesouthwesternprepster
I don’t think I have much to add to this one-she is completely right. Professors don’t typically just have it out to get you, they want you to succeed as well, just make sure you show them that you are dedicated to their class as well-so don’t fall asleep!
“‘Don’t fall in love in college. It’s your time to party.’ I heard this myth time and time again and while there was some truth to it, I spent a lot of my freshman and sophomore year partying and living it up with guys that wouldn’t last longer than a week. The whole time I was ignoring the guy who would later become my boyfriend. Falling in love and partying are not mutually exclusive. My boyfriend and I have now been together for over four years and live together! I didn’t miss out on anything in college by having a boyfriend – in fact, it improved my experience. Don’t be afraid to fall in love!” -Ashley from lifeinorder
This is so false-just like Ashley said. Many people end up meeting future spouses in college! Either way, college is what you make of it, so you can choose the route you want to take, but keep in mind, this is the time that you are with a whole bunch of people with similar interests and life experiences. It is your time to try out things before the world “removes your training wheels” after college. So it’s your decision-but don’t hold yourself back!
“Myth: You don’t have to study! Many people believe that freshman year is the time to party, go crazy and not worry about studying. I’ve heard this so many times, “You’ll make it through even if you don’t study in your first year.” This is not true unless you are a prodigy. And for those who told you that they’ve made it through without studying at all, they are probably exaggerating or they’ve scraped through with horrible grades. I’m not saying you should be a complete nerd or bookworm but based on my experience, please at least attend important lectures/tutorials and put in the due effort in your assignments!” -Melody from MelodySim
Just like we said above-showing your professors that you care is essential in college, so not studying will definitely hurt you in that area and in the long run. Melody said it right, put some effort into your studies and you’ll be fine.
“Myth: That everyone goes in knowing what they want to do with their life. Almost everyone changes their major multiple times during their freshman year!” -Natalie from UngracefulPrep
I can’t stress this one enough. Even if you think you know 100% what you want to major in and do for the rest of your life, chances are, you’ll meet kids with similar interests but different majors and your brain will start to wander. This is OKAY. It’s normal. I’ve already switched my major once and added a minor, so don’t feel bad if you change or even go into college undecided. This is your time to figure out and try things.
“Myth: You will gain the freshman 15. While this may happen, it doesn’t happen to absolutely everyone.” -Jenny from breakfastatlillys
“Myth: You’ll gain the freshman 15. Truth: While there is some truth to this with the poor drinking and eating habits that often come with college, it was not true in my case. College is also a very active time in your life. You walk to class, frat parties and just about everywhere. Chances are there is a free gym on campus that you’ll always have time to go to in between classes. If anything, there should be a “real world 15.” Once you get your first job and sit at a desk for 8 hours a day, it’s likely that the stress of your job and lack of moving throughout the day will cause you to gain weight.” -Vicky from aspiringsocialite
Both of these girls are so correct. Walking everywhere is a lot more exercise than you would think-especially in big cities like Chicago, and if you work to make sure it doesn’t happen, then it probably won’t. Just be smart, don’t eat pizza everyday for lunch, and you’ll be fine. Besides, you aren’t meant to look like a high schooler for the rest of your life. :)
“My high school teachers always told me that college professors would not give us study guides or pre-written class notes. Many of my professors have done both! Most professors post a PowerPoint outline of all the covered material at the very least.” -Kathryn from Kats9Lifes
Right. Professors aren’t evil. They are teachers. They will help you.
“Myth: you’ll become extremely close with your orientation friends. That’s true for some people, but for most their orientation friends are a comforting bridge to deeper friendships.” -Sabina from Victim to Charm
Exactly. I know people who are still best friends with the people they met at orientation, and others who never really spoke again. In the beginning, everyone is in the same boat, looking for friends, and sometimes you find people you relate to more later in the year than the ones you met on your first day. I’m still close friends with 5 of the people I met at orientation, but that doesn’t mean everyone is.
“Myth: “Your roommate will be your best friend.” Although for some this may be true, it isn’t always true. This definitely wasn’t true for me and my freshman year I witnessed many failed roommate friendships”-Lauren from the Arizona Prepster
This isn’t always true, but the key thing to keep in mind is even if you aren’t BEST friends with your roommate, you can still be friends. You are living with this person for a whole year, so if it gets hostile, it won’t be a happy living environment for either of you. Try your best to make it work. Plus, you’ll find that many roommates go through a rocky path after the “honeymoon phase” of college, and once you get past that, you’ll get even closer.
“Myth: Everyone drinks in college. This for sure isn’t true! There is a place for everyone in college whether you choose to drink or not.”-Miranda from Sew Cute
Enough said. You’ll find your crowd no matter what.
“Myth: You’ll become BFFs with most of the girls in your sorority. Truth: While sororities are a great way to make new friends, especially if you’re going to college out of state, you’ll only become super close with a few of your sisters more than likely. When you’re around that many girls, it’s impossible to get to know every single one of them on that level. The friends you do make will be amazing, but your sorority sisters won’t magically replace all of the friends you’ve had growing up, and they shouldn’t! Some of my best friends in college were people I met through my classes and studying abroad.” -Kylee from k, byeee!
I’m not in a sorority, so I’m going to let Kylee be the wisdom for this one.
“Myth: you meet all your best friends freshman year and they’ll be your best friends for life! I know I personally met a bunch of great people freshman year but I am not friends with most of them anymore, I also know from my brother and cousin that they didn’t meet their best friends until their sophomore year or later!” -Kenzie from SincerelyKenz
Absolutely. Always be open to meeting new friends and don’t give up. Keep putting yourself out there. You’ll find the keepers.
“Myth: You and your high school BFF won’t survive as college roommates! Everyone says college changes you — which is true to an extent. That does not mean, however, that friends must crumble just because of new experiences and adventures. I lived with my childhood best friend when we were freshmen in college, and we couldn’t have gotten along better.” -Sarah from Space, Place, and Southern Grace
The key thing to remember in this situation is living style. I love my best friends to pieces, but I know I would not be able to live with someone. You can love a person as a friend, but as a roommate, they might get on your nerves and therefore destroy a friendship. If you are super clean and organized but your best friend is not at all, don’t live together, it isn’t worth the risk. However, if you guys both are similar in how you live and want to room together-give it a shot. One of the most important characteristics in a roommate is living compatibility.
And tah dah. You made it all the way down. If you did, congrats!! You just gained a ton of helpful information for your first year in college. Now remember, help your friends out with these freshman year myths and share this post so they don’t worry so much! Love you all!
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