Lies High School Graduates Believe
You’ve graduated from high school. Congratulations! Your hard work paid off, and you are one step closer to college. You feel ready for more adult responsibilities and freedoms. You want to be independent and figure out life on your own.
The summer between high school and college provides unique opportunities and challenges. You may be tempted to believe facts that are simply not true. Help yourself prepare for the semester ahead by refusing to believe these 6 lies!
Lie #1: You do not need your parent’s help anymore.
In my last semester of high school, I struggled being at home. I started to see my parents as people, not just my parents. I saw their flaws, mistakes, and failures. I mentally accused them of treating my wrongly, because they didn’t treat me the way I wished they would.
Looking back, I now realize how immature my thinking was. I thought I was a lot smarter than I was. I resented their help and pushed them away when I trully needed them. I foolishly rejected the help I so desperately needed. Although they were not perfect, they could’ve provided me with guidance if I just let them help me.
After graduating, you may feel invincible and proud of yourself. Finishing high school does take dedication and hard work, especially if you had great obstacles. You should be happy to be done. However, don’t forget that you still have room to grow, things to learn, and new life events to experience.
You don’t always know what’s the right thing to do or say, but you can be sure that your parent(s) will be willing to lend a helping hand. You are not too old to ask for help. In addition, asking for help doesn’t make you weak or helpless. Instead, it shows that you know your own limitations and that you are mature enough to get help when you need it.
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Lie #2: You do not have to do anything this summer.
This lie has an element of truth to it, because you don’t technically have to do anything this summer. You can spend the entire break traveling, visiting friends and family, or lounging around the house. In fact, you’ve probably heard comments like “enjoy your last summer as a kid” or “this is your last summer not to work.” These statements are true.
This summer is probably your last time to be a kid and live with kid-like responsibilities. However, spending your entire summer doing nothing is probably not the best way to jump start your college experience. Why? First, you’ll waste valuable time. You have months before you have to leave for college. Spending all of this time watching Netflix, sleeping, or hanging out with friends is not the best use of your time.
Instead, use this time wisely. If you’re trying to narrow down your choices for a college major, this summer provides opportunity for you to shadow a professional or schedule an informative interview. Talking to a person who does what you want to do is incredibly valuable! This person can give you insight into what a major really looks like in action, not mention this person can advise you on how to cultivate the skills and gain experience before graduating from college.
Second, you’ll waste a valuable opportunity. This summer provides opportunity to get “ahead” financially, because college is expensive. You’re probably aware of the expense of college, but until you start paying college bills for yourself you probably won’t feel financial pressure.
Use this summer to grow your bank account balance. Focus on saving and earning, rather than spending. Shop around for the best deals for college essentials. Try to spend as little money as possible this summer, so that you can begin your college years without school loans.
Third, you’ll be sluggish and struggle to get into a normal routine. While you certainly want to get a healthy amount of sleep this summer, you don’t want to make it hard to stick to a routine. Sleeping in until noon or later every day will probably make it difficult when college classes start.
Make yourself stick to a loose schedule this summer. You don’t have to wake up at 5 a.m. each day, but do try to get up by at least 9 a.m. on weekdays. Make a habit of exercising and eating well. Go to bed at a reasonable time each night (e.g., before midnight during the week). You will be thankful you did when college classes start.
Side note: Taking a few weeks to relax and prepare for college is probably necessary. You do not want to start college scrambling or exhausted. Be sure you give yourself enough time to prepare for the journey to college.
Lie #3: You must to pick a college major.
Picking the right college major is tricky, because you feel like the right major can make or break your future. Know that you don’t need to pick a major before attending most colleges. In fact, some colleges and universities do not allow you to choose a major until you’ve attended there for a semester.
Your major will not define you. You will not “be” your major, instead your major will be something you do. Picking the “wrong” major will not ruin your future, so don’t allow your choice of major to stress you out.
Many (most in my experience) professionals did not major in what they do currently. They made their way into their field through different jobs and experiences. Right now, you probably have an idea of a few things you enjoy doing, but keep in mind that these favorite activities can change over time. Your own tastes change, so your major could too.
If you are required to choose a major, select an area in which you have some skill and enjoy. You don’t have to love this major or feel as if it is your passion. If you have several very different areas you are considering, keep in mind what courses are required in those fields.
For example, if you are interested in health science and accounting, those majors require extremely different kinds of classes. Try to take classes that can apply to both fields, so you can easily change majors without adding an extra semester to your four years.
Lie #4: You will always be close with your high school friends.
You’ve grown up with these people. You’ve attended the same schools. You have many memories with these friends, but you will probably not remain close with every one of them.
After high school graduation, you might spend some time together or even stay in touch throughout much of your summer. But college might change your friendships, so enjoy the time you have together before parting ways.
College will change you and your high school friends. Why? First, long-distance friendships can be hard to maintain. If you’ve moved before, you know how hard it is to stay in contact with friends from your old hometown. Distance can weaken your connection with one another. After being apart, you will find that you have less and less in common unless you work to stay connected.
Two, life gets busier. College life moves at a fast speed. Your days are long and your assignments are time-consuming. You may find that you can only keep in contact with people you see on at least a weekly basis.
Three, you and your friends change as people. After high school, life drastically changes for you and your friends. Your paths may take you in different directions. One friend may live at home and attend a community college. Another friend may move across the country to attend a university. You may move a few hours away to attend college. You all have different experiences that change you as a person. These changes are not good or bad or right or wrong, they are just part of growing up.
You can maintain some of these friendships, but know that it will take work on both sides. If both you and your friend work at it, your friendship can last. Work to keep meaningful friendships in your life, but know this process will be work. Sometimes you won’t feel like answering a text or a call, but some friendships are entirely worth it.
Lie #5: College will fix your problems.
You are headed for college. You know you will change, mature, and hopefully become the best version of yourself. But be careful you don’t believe that college can fix you. Problems you experienced in high school will probably only get worse in college.
Going to college will not magically change your bad habits. If you struggle with time management, sharing a room, or waking up on time, these struggles won’t go away at college. You will find that your life will be busier, but you will have more freedom. You may temporarily make good choices, but as time goes on you’ll slip back into your bad habits. Try to kick these bad habits before going to college.
Use this summer to work on your struggles. For example, if you struggle to wake up on time for work, take this summer to conquer this struggle. Move your alarm clock (or phone) far away from your bed. Schedule your work shifts for the morning. Make a deal with your sibling that if you wake up late more than 3 times this week you have to pay him or her $10. Do whatever you have to do to beat and replace this bad habit!
Lie #6: Living away from home will be easy.
Living at home can sometimes be difficult, even if your parents get along. Your siblings might be frustrating, your mom may be too helpful, or your dad may be too demanding. However, living away from home will have its own challenges.
Many college freshmen experience seasons of loneliness and homesickness during their first semester. Many students struggle to make friends in a different place, because finding a friend group is hard when you don’t know literally anybody. Navigating a new social setting comes with many challenges.
Many college freshmen struggle to adapt to the busy academic schedule of college. Meeting with professors, adjusting your studying style, and preparing for tests looks slightly different in college. You have so much going on at college besides school, but you also have to earn good grades. You have to learn how to have balance in your day-to-day life.
Many college freshmen struggle to live in the dorms. Living with a roommate, setting boundaries, and discussing room problems is sometimes awkward. You don’t want your roommate to hate you, but you are also tired of your roommate borrowing your stuff without asking. You have to learn how to apologize and confront this person you are yet to meet.
High school is done, but here comes college! Don’t start your college experience on the wrong foot by believing these lies. You can start your year with the right mindset, prepared for the challenges ahead.
