Student life: Expectation vs. Reality

03 Jan 2017

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:

Image via University of Nottingham/Flickr

Reality:

Image via The Student Room

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:

Image via Shutterstock

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:

I just want to sign up for all the clubs

— 🌿Em🌿 (@EV943) August 10, 2016

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:

Image via Shutterstock

Reality:

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

— College Student (@ColIegeStudent) December 14, 2016

11. Taking exams

Expectation:

Reality:

When you don't know the answer to an exam question but you refuse to leave it blank 😂#StudentProblems pic.twitter.com/lalifRkclg

— Wisconsin Press 📰 (@WisconsinPress) December 21, 2016

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:

Image via Student Hut

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