3.17.2014

college students deserve more credit

I've been in college for two years now, and I have a love/hate relationship with it. When I was still in high school, I always thought college would be this glorious time where I didn't really have any responsibility and I could to whatever I want. Which is true, to an extent. But people always say to stay in college as long as you can, its the best years of your life, you'll miss it when you're living in "the real world." And this bugs me…a lot. I don't think college kids get as much credit as they deserve.

College is absolutely fun. Parties, sporting events, time out with friends- I love it all. But honestly, I don't see how its any easier than "living in the real world." Sure, some people have jobs Monday through Friday from 9 to 5, and its stressful and a lot of work. But I have school every day, including weekends, and when I get home from class I have more schoolwork to do. There's hardly a day when I'm not stressed about an upcoming assignment or exam. Most people that have careers get to leave their work at work, and can enjoy themselves when they're off. But college students….we're always doing work. On top of all of the school work, I, like many other college students, have a job as well. So on top of lectures, assignments, and exams, I also hold a job. It can be crazy and stressful, and I often feel like I don't have any time to just relax.

I think that there's a huge misconception out there that college kids don't have bills. Whenever people throw out that "stay in college forever…you don't have to worry about adult problems" crap, I don't think they consider the fact that college students have bills, too. I pay rent for my apartment, electricity, groceries, gas for my car, and school related expenses too. Not to mentions school itself is ridiculously expensive. Plus, there are some students that have even more responsibilities than that. I would say that that's pretty relatable to the "adult problems" that people think we don't have to deal with. There's also the stress of figuring out what you're going to do once you graduate. It can be pretty scary and stressful when you're not sure where you'll be living or what you'll be doing within the next year or so.

What I'm basically trying to say is that college students do not get the credit they deserve. I understand that once you graduate you have more responsibilities. You have to completely support yourself, balance a job, bills, and possibly a family. All I'm trying to get across is that as students, we have responsibilities too. We know what its like to have to pay bills. We know what its like to be stressed and overwhelmed from work. It's not all sunshine and rainbows over in collegeville. We understand "real world" problems, and I think that most of us do a pretty damn good job considering were only in our early 20's (or younger).

What're your opinions? Do you agree? Or do you think that there's a huge difference between college life and "the real world?"

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10 comments:

  1. I graduated in June and I find I actually miss university quite a lot. You make a few great points about how they're similar with their stresses and responsibilities but I find the stress of being "an adult" is a bit different from being a "student". At least with school you have consistency, you know you're going to have midterms and exams and at the beginning of the year your syllabus tells you when your assignments are going to be due. Sure, you're stressed about all these things and holding your job - I did full time school with full time work - but I find now that I'm an "adult" I'm a bit listless. People have more demands of me because they expect more all of the sudden - "where are you working?" "what do you plan on doing?" "how much money do you actually make doing that?" "oh you still live at home?" It's a lot more judgement. And I'm someone who doesn't fare well with judgement, and I long for the safety net of school because people stop expecting so much from you and stop criticising your choices so much because you're still "a student". As soon as you put your big girl pants on the world seems a lot more daunting - at least to me.

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  2. This is the goddamn truth. While I do see a lot of students who have almost everything taken care for them, money is a huge stress in my life and I do know the realization of money and bills. Honestly, I don't know how much more "adult" my life could be. I commute to school (thank god) because I cannot stand anything really to do with typical college life. I was over partying and being drunk every night with random, sweaty, gross people in high school thank you very much.
    xx

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  3. I graduated last year and I always say that I wish I could have stayed in college longer. Yes I was more stressed and had way more on my plate, but I was 100 times happier. When I had a class I hated I knew I just had to suck it up and it'd be over in a few months. You can't do that in the real world, no matter how miserable you feel. If you change jobs after just a few months people start to question you. So being a college student might not have been easier, but it was better for me. Hopefully I'll feel more settled in the real world soon and have a change of heart.
    From Mississippi With Love

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  4. I went to college from 2002 - 2006 and then again 2012. and got 3 different things. Plus I worked too while i went to college and at one point had to pay my own way and pay for books. so college isn't all its' cracked up to be unless you're well off and get a full ride with a scholarship

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  5. I agree with you. I had it pretty easy in college, but I would never want to go back and am so happy to be done. I did 9 years post-high school work and I do no miss it at all. So, enjoy it while you are there but I say that being an adult and having a full time job you enjoy is much better!

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  7. I definitely agree with you! College students do not have it easy - I have 24 credit hours and work2 part time jobs, plus blog, am super active in my sorority, community service projects, and pageants but yet am always told I'm not doing enough. While I am very excited for graduation and to enter "the real world" I also know that I'm definitely going to miss the college atmosphere (minus the homework).

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  8. Reading this made me realize I don't actually know WHY I feel this way. I graduated college in 2008 so it's been 6 years now. I do know I'd give anything to go back to college. It was definitely easier. And I did it all on my own. Not a single penny from anyone. All the loans are in my name, I paid my rent, all utilities, gas, car payment, car insurance, cell phone bill, groceries etc. I took 18 credit hours and worked 30 hours a week. Yet somehow, I still wish I could go back. I definitely felt as you did though. Maybe it's because I've never held a job where "work stayed at work". Maybe it's because a lot more is expected of you. Maybe it's because the work I did in college and post-college are so different. Or maybe it's because I lived my life in semesters. "Just get through this class". You chose your major and half the classes. Sadly, you don't always get to choose your job in the real world and love it. You gotta snatch up what's there. I actually don't know and now you have my wheels turning. Why do I feel college was a million times easier than "real world"?? Why do I wish I could go back?? I don't really know!!!

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  9. I think college is WAY easier than the "real world." It's way different too. I worked ever since I was 16 years. In college, I always took 18 to 22 hours and worked. It's been about 6 years since I graduated college and 2.5 years since graduate school. Between college and the real world, I would definitely pick the real world because I think it is more fun and enjoyable. I hated attending class and being obligated to do schoolwork. I hardly ever studied, even in graduate school. In the past, I've never really had a job that you could leave work at work. I hated just about every job and always was dreading going in. I enjoyed time away from work, but never truly enjoyed it, because I had to start the cycle over and over. People would get pretty lucky if they found a job that you wouldn't think about until the next day. Whether I had actual work, I carried the emotional baggage from the job. I don't have to worry about that stuff now, since I have my own business. College was fun, but I don't miss it. I hate sitting in class and having a school schedule.

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  10. I think there are both similarities and differences. I agree that people underestimate the amount of stress that we college students deal with. But I also assume there are some stressors in the "real world" that I can't even imagine at the moment. By the way, happy to see you on Whispering Sweetly with me!

    xo, TCG
    www.thatcollegegirlsguide.com

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