College Rumors, True or False?

Hello! I am so excited to be starting this blog. I’ve always loved to write and have over 300 notes on my phone recording my most profound thoughts, so I decided I might as well share them. I’m writing my first post about a topic that is very relevant to this stage of my life. I am a sophomore at the University of Florida and am having the greatest time. I have wonderful, supportive, fun-loving friends and am lucky enough to have found my place at such a large university. Like everything in life though, nothing is perfect, and neither is college. Here is a list of some college rumors that I had been told and now know whether to believe or not.

It will never be the same with your home friends

False, at least for my friends. We can go months and months apart and come home and nothing changes between us. The best part is your friends won’t ask all of the “How are you liking college?” or “How are your classes going?” questions that you’re tired of answering. You just get to jump back into enjoying each other’s company. My home friends are and will always be my rock.

Greek life is only for superficial people

False. The majority of the people I have met in Greek life are very genuine, kind people who just want to find friends like everyone else. The fakest part of being in a sorority in my experience has been all the pictures that you take and pose for, but if you can get past that, I highly recommend giving recruitment a chance.

Exams are hard

True. I don’t know why I thought this was going to be false.

The freshman 15 will catch you before you know it

True, and really discouraging. This definitely doesn’t happen to everyone, but it did for me, and it has been a struggle to accept. With unprecedented access to unhealthy foods, the desperate craving for late-night snacks, and the freedom from my typical schedule of four hours of dance per day, it was inevitable that I would gain a few pounds.

Luckily, this has encouraged me to start working out as often as possible and I have never been stronger. Now that I am through my first “explorative” year of college, as a sophomore, I have a more stable routine and am back to living a healthier lifestyle.

Tailgating is the most fun thing ever

True, but not at first. I remember sitting with my freshman year roommates after our first couple of gamedays talking about how we all did not have a very good time and tailgating did not live up to the expectations. We were all disappointed and unwilling to accept that the four-hour parties that we would attend every Saturday for the rest of the season weren’t going to be worth the hype. Tailgating is fun when you know people so don’t give up after freshman year. By sophomore year, I had a blast at tailgates because I saw friends almost everywhere I went, and I already couldn’t wait for it to be fall again.

College students are broke

True. I don’t even spend very much money, but I am indeed broke, and so are most of my friends. I’m embracing it though; it adds to the college aesthetic.

Your apartment is going to look like it belongs on Pinterest

False. My room at my apartment is cute but our living room and kitchen are simply not. If I saw a picture of my apartment on Pinterest, I would not be pinning it to any boards. Before moving into both apartments I’ve lived in so far, my roommates and I had grand plans for our decor and even color schemes, but both times we didn’t quite get farther than a rug and mirror. And as I said before, college students are broke, there are more important things to spend money on than neon signs and throw pillows.

Thanks for reading! I can’t wait to document my thoughts and feelings here as a young adult to look back on later in life. And, what better day to start than January 1st!

Stella