Everything about post-secondary education sounds great, from newfound independence to being able to enjoy an “adult” social life. And while the years after high school can be one of the greatest periods of someone’s life, there are plenty of downsides to be wary of, even though they’re not always talked about.
That’s why, in honour of back to school, we took an unofficial internal poll to find out what the most unexpected things were about attending college and university. What did our staff struggle with? What totally shocked us? Read on to find out.
1. You won’t be sleeping until noon
Even though you get to pick your own schedule, your first year probably won’t give you as much leeway as you expect. First-year students have mandatory classes they need to enroll in. If they’re not completed, they may be forced to switch their major or re-take everything. Also note: freshman classes can start as early as 8 a.m. (so say goodbye to sleeping in).
2. You probably won’t like your roommate
You might feel pressured to be best friends with your roommates because you’ll be living with them for a year, but the truth is sometimes you just won’t “click.” You can still be a good roommate without being best friends; simply keep to yourself, mind your manners, and share the space.
READ MORE: The ultimate guide to student discounts across Canada
3. Skipping class is not as fun as you think
Most university professors don’t take attendance and you usually won’t get in trouble if you don’t show up to a lecture or two. But missing class means missing material that will inevitably be on a final exam. There’s also the small issue of seminars: these are classes that require you show up because they’re graded on participation (and the marks are a decent chunk of your final grade, too).
In college, attendance is taken in most classes.
4. The food can get old… fast
You’re probably excited about your unlimited food plan if you live on campus. But you’ll realize midway through the semester that the dining commons serves the same meals over and over again… every week… every month. Get ready to miss home cooking.
5. The ‘Freshman 15’ is real
You might tell yourself that you’ll never be the person who gains some weight in college, but it’s very easy to pack on the ‘Freshman 15’ — especially if you’re eating at the cafeteria every day (where carbs, sweets and caffeine are readily available).
READ MORE: Fact or fiction: Is the ‘freshman 15’ real for university students?
6. If you have an academic adviser, don’t rely on him/her for everything
College and university advisers have a lot of responsibilities on top of assisting students, so they’re a bit overworked. With this in mind, don’t expect your adviser to call you if they note a problem; if you see an issue with your studies brewing, make an appointment yourself. Advisers can be a great source of advice, and can even help you decide which educational path makes the most sense for you.
7. Wait to buy your books
You will get a syllabus from your professors telling you to buy your books from the school bookstore before classes begin, but you could save majorly by waiting. Many professors only assign one or two readings from these “required” textbooks, or they may not really use them at all. Attend a couple of lectures before making any big textbook purchases so you can get a feel for how often you’ll need them. (And if you do decide to buy a “required” read, shop around at online retailers since school bookstores can be pricey.)
8. Prepare for random fire drills and room inspections
The law requires schools to have annual fire drills, so prepare to be woken up by a piercing loud siren and bright flashing lights at some point in the year. Room inspections also happen about once a month. That’s when an employee from your college or university will come through your dorm and give it a “cleanliness” evaluation. If you fail the inspection, there will be consequences that span from a warning to a fine.
READ MORE: 12 movies that will make you feel nostalgic for back-to-school
9. You will pull at least one all-nighter during exams
You might also see long lines coming out of Tim Hortons at 2 a.m. All the luck to you!
10. It’s normal to change your major
When you’re 18 years old, choosing a major can feel like one of the most daunting tasks in the world. It feels as though you need to decide in that moment what you’ll do for the rest of your life, but that’s not the case. If you can barely focus in class, and lectures put you to sleep, speak to your academic adviser about your options. Swapping majors is completely normal – if not common.
Are there any first-year surprises you’d add to the list? Send them through the contact form below.
Note: We may use your response in this or other stories. While we may contact you to follow up we won’t publish your contact info.
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