College...Simplified

In college you will make friends that fit certain archetypes.  One is not better than another and every person in that archetype will be different, but they will all share some characteristics.

First Character Study: the Athlete

Upside: No more school!

The most important, or the hardest.

You start celebrating your birthday very differently in college.

There's the classic '21 shots in your 21st birthday', but that's a bit difficult.  Then there's the girl who just buys this shot glass and that works pretty well too.  I know a guy who finished a case by himself on his 21st birthday (he's kind of a tank though, and he started at midnight, so I wouldn't recommend it).  I know a girl whose dad (he lives in England, by the way) rented a limo for her birthday to take a whole bunch of people out for dinner, which he then paid for.  It all depends on who you are.

80's and sunny with no humidity.  I haven't left the building but to eat.

This is the innovation that college creates.

I present: The Grilled Cheese Donut.

Have cheese but no bread?  Have donuts?  Have everything but just enjoy being unhealthy?

This is for you.

It is absolutely delicious while drunk, but I haven't the nerve to try it sober, so that has yet to be determined.

This kid brought a pillow into the library with him.  He knows what's up.

Finals brings out different people in all of us.  Some eat everything in sight (aka ramen and chocolate), some stop eating altogether.  Some become nocturnal, and some stop sleeping.

I myself become socially unacceptable and act drunk all the time.  I sleep at very odd hours and eat even odder things.  I don't change out of my pajamas for basically anything and my ever-present bed head has been known to scare children under the age of 7.

I also enjoy making FINALS into acronyms, something started by my friend Rachel.

The Classic:

Fuck I Never Actually Learned Shit

(Polite form: Fine I Never Actually Learned Stuff)

Several Alternates:

Furiously Ingraining New Actualities Ludicrously Slowly

Filling Inner Nothingness Arduously (Luck's Short)

Friends In Normally Absent Locations Studying (props to Rachel)

Freshman Industriously Not Aspiring to Lose Scholarships

This is why some people love college, but it's not the only thing.

I love learning, meeting new people, and taking responsibility for myself.  I love learning time management (usually the hard way), bonding with people from completely different walks of life, and having no restrictions.

If you are lucky enough to have been accepted to numerous desirable schools, it is a freaking hard decision to pick where you want to go.

I visited 27 (yes, 27) schools.  I had a list of about 7 that I wanted to apply to, and probably would have been happy at, until the 26th visit.  I stepped onto the campus and fell in love.  It was about 107 degrees with close to 100% humidity and I was fighting with my mom at the time, so I was not in the best mood.  But as soon as I saw how amazing the school was, I knew where I had to go.  I applied early decision and got accepted, and it was the best decision of my life.

However, I understand that some people may not be accepted to their top choice, which is an absolute tragedy, but let me tell you, it's not the end of the world.

College is about the people you meet more than anything else.  I could have my group of friends at any school in the world and I would still be happy.  Not only that, but every school in the world has fantastic people: you just have to find them.  Don't settle for friends who criticize you and hold you back, because they are not real friends.  With real and true friends, you can be yourself all the time and not have to worry about appearances or reigning yourself in.

Essentially, while making college decisions, remember that you can be happy no matter where you go.  I know people who went to their 7th choice and are having a blast.  I also know people who went to their 1st choice and aren't enjoying themselves as much as they expected.

I firmly believe that every college is full of new and exciting opportunities, you just have to make the most of them.