College represents one of the most exciting times in a young adult’s life. It represents the first step towards adulthood and forging one’s individual identity and path. It also represents a major shift in lifestyle, as students from all across the country each fall move out of their childhood homes and into large dormitories. Gone are the days of strict rules, curfews, or groundings. Once at college, students learn to take responsibility for themselves and their actions. Students also must learn to develop new habits to fit into their new daily routines.
Gone are the days of waking up to the smell of mom’s fresh blueberry waffles, or taking a break from studying to meander over to the kitchen for a steak dinner. At college all students experience the same freshman ritual, the cafeteria. Preferences quickly adapt and students learn the best tricks and rules for ensuring that they receive some sort of nutrition their first year. Another major routine change is related to prioritizing and organizing one’s academic schedule. Freshman year brings a whole new level of freedom from that experienced in high school . Without rigid rules, students may choose from a vast array of courses, according to their interests, and , of course, the times at which they begin in the morning. During freshman year, students also learn that there are no more doctor’s notes or sick days; one must take responsibility for their own schedule.
Read the rest of this entry »
