12 Things to Know About College: The Good, Bad, and Ugly

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This article was originally written for blavity.com by Dom Jones.

College can be daunting for first timers and returnees alike. There are some things kept hidden that should be commonly shared knowledge. Here are some good (and not so good) things that everyone should know before the first day of classes.

The Good

You can get an international education right on your campus

Students from all over the world come to study here in the states. They're curious about our customs, food, government and people. If you remain open-minded about your circle of friends, you won't just be given an education on your American experience, you'll be learning about people and places you might have never been. You'll also have a strong network of friends from around the world for when you decide to travel abroad.

You will actually use what you learn

Many of us feel that high school was a drag because of the impracticality around what was taught. Please tell me the last time any of us have used a divider or a compass from our geometry courses. Don't worry, I'll wait. College is a place where, although there are required courses, you're also able to learn a ton about what you're specifically interested in. Most of the time, there are classes (or quick and free info sessions) for the practical things that you might not have learned at home, such as balancing a checkbook and building your credit.

You'll discover surprising things about yourself

Everyone talks about "finding yourself" in college, but what often isn't said is that a lot of it doesn't come from some magical epiphany or a series of victories. It's the challenges in college that will show you what you can do. You'll uncover strength from your scholastic challenges, ingenuity from your financial challenges and grace from your social challenges. Those pressure cooker moments will show you just how powerful you are on the inside.

Some of your teachers will become your friends

We've all heard that we'll meet some our lifelong friends in college. What you don't hear is that some of those people will be your professors! College professors can be some of your best friends, especially those who treat their classes as a symbiotic relationship, where both sides benefit and have something to offer. They also know the game of college. Like your neighborhood OG who dropped street gems, professors have major keys for how to get through college and leverage certain parts of the system to your benefit.

Independence is a journey

Higher education is the stop gap between childhood and full-blown adulting. Take advantage of these years to build up your independence. This is a trial and error period where your parents (and everyone else) will be sensitive to the fact that you're learning how to be on your own. This is your time to make your mistakes, learn your lessons, and understand the value of feedback from those who have been through college and achieved independence (or are still trying to achieve it).

The Bad

The tuition is just the beginning

I wish someone had told me how expensive books were. I came to my first semester of college with a few hundred dollars in my bank account, thinking I was all good for the weeks before I got a part-time job. I was broke by the third day of classes. Books are expensive. If you need materials that are specific to your major, that's expensive,. You're not going to want to eat at school every day, so food gets expensive. Transportation costs money, and don't forget about toiletries (your parents aren't stocking up your bathroom anymore).

If you live in the dorms, your roommate situation can get ugly

You are certainly going to meet all kinds of people, and they aren't all going to be nice. Some of the people you meet who you might dislike could be sleeping across the room from you. I've even heard horror stories about roommates who trashed the room partying while their roommate was at class or out of town for the weekend, but there's hope! Don't be afraid to talk to your RAs (Resident Assistants/Aids) about issues that you're having with your roommate. They are there to help make your dorm experience as palatable as possible.

The meal plans can be ridiculous

I was an older entering student, and my college forced me to pay for a full meal plan because it was my first year there. The assumption was that all first-year students were 18 and couldn't cook for themselves. Even if I was 18, I wouldn't be eating three meals from the school cafeteria, which means I was wasting money (and food). If you want to get your money's worth, hustle the meals you don't use to students without a plan. Charge half of what the school charges for walk-in diners to use one of your meals and you could make a little cash on the side.

The Ugly

People are (still) learning about personal hygiene for some reason

Listen. The smells you will encounter will be shocking sometimes. You will enter the communal bathroom and gag. You will wonder how someone left the laundry room smelling so foul. Your roommate will come out of the shower still smelling like the outdoors, and it will confound you. Dorms don't allow incense, so keep some smell goods and room deodorizing spray on deck. Your nose is going to go through some things.

Scholarship money is super elusive

Even though you might end up feeling like your financial aid department is useless, if you stick with it, something will happen. Funding your education means you should become extremely proficient at writing essays. Seriously, if you can pop out a 500 word essay on any topic under the sun in less than 30 minutes, you can apply for so many random scholarships. The onus is on you to seek out the money. It's there! It's just hidden.

Mean girls go to college, too

This is annoying. Just when you thought you'd escaped that clique of girls who think they're all that and a bag of whatever, you hit fall orientation to find that there's not just one clique of mean girls, there are ten. All this means is that you have to work that much harder to find your tribe. Once you do, they will have your back, should you ever have to go toe-to-toe with the mean girl college coalition.

It can feel unsafe

Crime on campus is (unfortunately) a thing. From date rape to hate crimes, sometimes your college can feel unsafe, but there are things you can do to help mitigate your risk. It's also important to realize that colleges are dealing with the same safety issues that the rest of the world is, but in a seemingly more contained environment. Seek out the groups and administrative support systems that will help you focus more on your studies than your safety.

Related: 17 Pieces of Advice You Need to Read If You're a First-Generation College Student

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