by Zarrah O'Curren

Created on: May 31, 2008

The Dorm is buzzing with excitement as a new semester starts. Parents start to say goodbye to their children and we are left for a term or two far from home in a world that is a very big change from our life at home. First semester freshmen have formed stereotypes about the college life. Parties, large groups of friends and most importantly a college degree. While these are all true if you are serious about a college degree you won't be going to parties. Chances are your classes are going to be harder then you thought. You have to look for tutors yourself if you need help in class. Most of the time you are left to you own devices for food and a job sounds alluring but you soon find that even a job has to wait because you need to focus on your school work.

This is College life. You soon find life is really hard and things really does happen. Every step you take in college is different. What you college life will be like often depends on where you go. If you go to a private religious school chances are there will be people their who act as a support system for your beliefs and values that you hold dear. The classroom lectures will be focused in academics but don't be surprised if your teacher tries to connect what you are learning to your religious philosophy. If you attend a large Public University you experience is going to be quite different then those who attend a private religious college. You are going to get a whirlwind of secular knowledge and probably attain very little religious knowledge. If you do take a religious class don't be surprised if it is taught by an atheist. You will be taught that a career is all that matters. Of course there are some perks of attending a public school. You have a lot of student groups and a large forum for debate of critical issues. Don't be afraid to speak out for something that you feel strongly about and don't be afraid to listen to different opinions because that is the beauty of attending a public school. It also is cheaper then most private schools and usually more accessible. The non-religious private school life is just like the public school except with one exception and that is tradition. Most non-religious private schools where once non-denominational religious schools. There is a sense of tradition and pomp and circumstance at institutions such as Harvard and Yale. You also have secret societies like Yale's skulls and bones club which sounds to me just like a fraternity or sorority because you need to obtain special permission to join.

So college life has its fun side and its serious side, but it is not at all like Hollywood movies and its really not all about parties and sexual relations. Those who only focus on those things never do well in school and soon enough either get kicked out of school or drop out of college and fall short of attaining their dream of a college degree. College life also depends on where you go to school and what your priorities are.

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