Student life: Expectation vs. Reality

Before entering uni, you’re sold a pretty sweet deal: a magical place where you make new friends, expand your mind, gain new experiences, and learn to become an independent, self-sufficient adult.

While the reality isn’t too far from that (hopefully), there’s a lot of trial and error before you’re able to get to that point.

So for all you who’ve yet to experience student life at university, here is a much-needed dose of reality, while for those of you who have already been in their shoes, try not to sigh over your past naïveté.

1. Student accommodation

Expectation:

Reality:

2. Waking up for morning lectures

Expectation:

Reality:

3. Class participation

Expectation:

Reality:

4. Completing assignments

Expectation:

Reality:

https://twitter.com/StudentProblems/status/814539649716785152

5. Group work

Expectation:

Reality:

Every group project #studentlife #studentproblems #education #teacher #groupwork #school #homework #student pic.twitter.com/lfyV8WhktC

— GraphLock (@GraphLock) October 3, 2016

6. Learning to cook for yourself

Expectation:

"Being a #student doesn't stop me to try and #eat well: stir-fried diced beef and veggies, served…" #food #cooking #gourmet #deliciousfood pic.twitter.com/ErPxNWgFjC

— Delicious_Feed (@Delicious_Feed) December 24, 2016

Reality:

 

she tried to record herself cooking and the noodles didn’t even make it into the pot 💀 pic.twitter.com/CUSlRZkQZq

— Student Problems (@CoIIegeKidProbs) December 31, 2016

7. Joining clubs and societies

Expectation:

https://twitter.com/EV943/status/763236830615449600

Reality:

8. Socialising

Expectation:

The forecast for tonight pic.twitter.com/LmUZszBkLx

— introvert (@introvertsmemes) December 31, 2016

Reality:

https://twitter.com/StudentProblems/status/815285177786204161

9. Rockin’ a new fashion style

Expectation:

Reality:

https://twitter.com/College4_Christ/status/816052453980438528

10. Study time

Expectation:

Reality:

"How's studying for finals going?" pic.twitter.com/fLfxfCX10p

— College Student (@ColIegeStudent) December 14, 2016

11. Taking exams

Expectation:

Reality:

https://twitter.com/WisconsinPress/status/811599433431400451

12. After your student loan comes in

Expectation:

Reality:

13. On-campus romance

Expectation:

Reality:

14. Getting the hang of this “adulting” thing

Expectation:

Credit card balance paid off, student loans paid, insurance paid, phone paid, car paid. Ah, adulting❤

— Eli (@elibrown_97) December 20, 2016

Reality:

The best thing about uni, though, is the fact that you’re not in it alone! There are hundreds of other students in the exact same boat as you, so make the most of it, and don’t forget to have fun! (Not to the point that you don’t study, of course. But you get what we mean.)

Image via Shutterstock

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