Most students transitioning to college have heard a good deal of advice, horror stories, and myths about college from friends, family, coworkers, teachers, and strangers off the streeet. But how much of it is true? How much can you really know until you get their? Emily Grier, a sophomore at Penn State University and staff writer for Penn State’s Valley magazine, dishes out her thoughts on the advice she was given and how much of it came true during her freshman year.
Below are a few of they college myths Emily busted in the USA Today article, “The complete collection of lies that high school told me”:
- Picking a college is the biggest decision of your life. It might turn out that you don’t end up attending your dream school, and even though some people think it’s true, it won’t be the end of the world. By the time you get settled, you’ll probably realize “you’re where you’re meant to be.”
- Attending a prestigious college = A perfect life. Getting accepted to a prestigious college is only the first step. It’s not a guarantee to a happier, richer, more successful life with a high-salary job
- Participate in EVERYTHING. Emily was the girl who signed up for everything in high school and was told she should continue doing that if she wanted to succeed in college. After signing up for too many clubs and activities she realized she had spread herself too thin. Her advice? Pick the activities you’re really interested in and you will still feel accomplished.
Were you given advice about college that didn’t come true? Did someone give you great advice that you were glad you had? Share your stories in the comment box below.
Source:
Grier, Emily. “The complete collection of lies that high school told me.” USA Today: College. Accessed on August 18, 2011 from <http://www.usatodayeducate.com/staging/index.php/blog/the-complete-collection-of-lies-that-high-school-told-me>
