Countdown to College: 5 Things I Learned About College

Last weekend, Wesleyan hosted a three-day open house for accepted students (and helicopter parents) to get a feel for the school before D-Day (the May 1 decision date, if you’re not in the know). Although I was accepted early decision, I attended the aptly named WesFest on Friday and stayed overnight, meeting fellow pre-frosh as well as current students and experiencing college life first-hand.

Since this was my first experience being completely immersed in college culture sans parental units, I learned a few things about life in college, from the insightful to the unexpected:

1. 11:00 p.m. on weekends is considered “early.” At home, I’m usually up until 1 or 2 a.m., but by 11 I’m in my PJ’s, watching TV and winding down from the day. At that time on most college campuses, the party’s just getting started. And it doesn’t end until the 6 a.m. puking rush begins.

2. Little kids and dogs are a huge deal. While I was hanging out with my overnight host and her friends, whenever we came across children or dogs, they acted as if it was the first time they’d ever seen them. Understandably so, since college students go for weeks at a time without seeing many people outside of the 18-22 age group.

3. Gender neutral bathrooms are not as bad as you think. Half-expecting something out of Animal House, I was a little wary at first about sharing a bathroom with (older) guys, but I didn’t have any problems during my stay. Maybe my situation was a fluke, but the guys on my host’s hall were courteous and clean. Mom can rest easy.

4. Appreciate good food when you get it. Wesleyan’s food is by far the best college food I’ve tasted, but it’s still not Mom’s home cooking or five-star restaurant quality. Good thing there are a number of ethnic restaurants just off campus. Late-night pad thai might just become my staple.

5. The library is a sanctuary for the studious. Throughout high school, I’ve been the type who can get work done at home without succumbing to distractions, despite the allure of Facebook and schadenfreude-fueled blogs. In fact, I hate going to the school library or even my town’s library; I just can’t seem to concentrate there. However, in college, the library is a sacred (and silent) place. Don’t expect to get work done in your dorm room, especially if your roommate and hallmates are around. The library is definitely the best place to go.

For all you college students and grads, what interesting facts have you learned about college life?