“College is going to be the best years of your life,” they say. Well, that’s simply not true for everyone. Here’s what they don’t always tell you about the realities of post-secondary school.

1. Being single is actually the bomb

Embrace it instead of despising it. Trust me here. Plus, dating during a quarantine is legit impossible.

2. Group projects don’t make you jump for joy like they used to

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Let’s face it: group projects are painful. Gone are the days of turning to your BFF to be partners, instead, you cringe when the teacher announces a group project.

3. Required textbooks aren’t really required

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We’ve all learned the hard way. Rushing out to fill our backpacks with all the listed textbooks for our class, only to find out “required” actually meant “recommended.” The worst.

4. You’ll say, “I’m never drinking again” far too many times

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You have never experienced a hangover quite like a college hangover.

5. Snow days are a lot harder to come by

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School will no longer be cancelled because the school buses won’t start. Get used to trekking to school through piles of snow, sleet, ice and polar vortexes. Honestly, if a global pandemic won’t shut them down, nothing will.

6. Food won’t magically appear in your fridge

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Living with your parents, food just seemed to appear when you were hungry, now you actually have to make the effort to get groceries and cook or you’ll go hungry.

7. It costs how much to go to school?

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Being a broke student and living on pennies becomes a way of life. The good news is everyone else is broke so you can all pay for drinks with dimes together!

8. You will do the walk of shame at least once

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Just hope that it’s not after a themed party and you have to walk home the next morning looking like a zombie. On second thought…

9. Weekdays are the optimal party nights

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Weekends are no longer the only designated time for partying. It’s awesome.

10. You don’t have to have your life figured out

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Just because you’re in college or university, pursuing a degree somewhat related to what you may want to do when you graduate, it doesn’t mean you have to have your whole life together. Enjoy this aimless freedom while you can!

11. Choosing your BFF as your roomie may not be the best idea

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What better person to live with then your best friend? NOT! Choose your roomies wisely or you may lose a best friend in the process.