Leaving for College!
 

Well, in two days I'm leaving home for good (besides breaks and stuff obvs) and, like all college students I'm assuming, I'm pretty nervous and it's a crazy mixture of emotions right now. On one hand, my best friend is going to a college a few hours away and we can't be homies anymore. On the other hand, I'm a damn adult now and get to do whatever I want. My parents have always been great, but it's an invigorating feeling. Finally, freedom.

I'm attending Indiana University. Got a tasty scholarship, majoring in Psychology, have a pretty sweet schedule for my first semester (only class on Tuesdays and Thursday? Sociology from 10-11:30. That's the sweetest thing ever). It will all be especially easier to cope because my girlfriend of almost two years is heading down with me. I know all you folks are old here, so just so you know: two year relationships in high school are practically legendary and we deserve a medal.

So there's my little personal spiel that some of you may or may not read. I was just wondering, how many have you been to college? I'd really like to hear what your first experiences were like. Make me feel a little bit better (or worse) about this significant change in my life!

Update approximately a year later:

Dump her now, high school relationships are meaningless.

You're going to Indiana, start being really interested in cycling and basketball.

Your first year there will be fun, but the people you meet tend to matter little. They assign you roomates and gen. reqs. Make friends in classes that are directly related to your major, and start making efforts in the 200 level classes.

Go forth with the knowledge that music students regard your kind with both disdain and envy. Not that it matters, haha.
Although I'll admit, I'm kind of looking forward to Counterpoint this year, even if it is a three-day-per-week 8 a.m. class.

In general, even being a college student, I'm probably a terrible source of information on what to expect. Most people who currently are or already have done the college experience would probably tell me I'm doing it wrong.

Don't join a frat.

Be responsible yet spontaneous with your drinking.

I hope your relationship lasts but be aware that you're missing a great part about college which is being a free man. But to each his own.

Don't talk back to police when you eventually have a run in with them. They'll most likely let you go if you're honest and cool headed. They were 18 once too.

Don't make a habit of skipping classes but if there is an awesome football game on or an equally satisfying event then you deserve a day off.

Don't expect to be having extra cash around. In fact, getting a part time job is a great idea that nobody ever does.

Have fun and remember that 80% of the knowledge you'll gain from college is not learned in a classroom.

I went to a small art school in a big city, and I graduated over a decade ago, so I think you're probably going to have a fairly different experience from what I had. But I think the best advice I can offer you about college is get involved. Meet people, be active, put some serious effort into getting some good internships, join organizations that you're passionate about, study abroad if you can. When you're done with school this is the stuff that's really going to impact your life.

I'm currently in college but I am not a "free man" by any means, work constantly, and live at home. So I'm not really free to give any advice here. Plus, I only started last semester and was already almost twenty when I started, because I took a break after school. But I can honestly say right now that if you're going to Indiana you are going to be meeting a lot of basketball fanatics. If you don't care many will think you are insane/unholy. Good luck.

That's what we've been told for multiple years now but we haven't faltered yet! If anything, I'm looking forward to being in college with her. It'll be easier for us to be alone ;)

And this is why I decided not to major in music!

Here's where I have an advantage over about 98% of college kids...rich parents. I know this probably contradicts a little with my short spiel over finally being free...but...I need money to buy reefer ;_;

This is exactly what I plan to do! Studying abroad is something that's always been a little frightening to me though and I don't think I ever really want to do it D:

You're telling me! All you'll ever hear on that campus is people talking about the up-coming basketballl season! The people here are crazy! Luckily, I like basketball quite a bit :P

Thanks for all the words, guys! Some good advice being given in this thread!

A rich kid who likes basketball and attends Indiana University on a scholarship has absolutely nothing to worry about. Just do whatever the fuck you feel like. If you mess up at all then you can always just quit school, ditch the girlfriend, and start it all over again at some other university.

edit: when people say Indiana University, I automatically assume Bloomington. If it's not that one then you should ignore my advice and go to class at least.

Wow good luck York Daddy. I am too going to college in about 14 days before I go to Normandale. It will be a interesting ride in what happens.

Like others have said, either commit to being with this girl for the long haul or break up with her immediately. A 2 year high school relationship isn't going to stop you from hurting her in a moment of drunken lust or if, and when, you meet someone who makes you question what you want in a relationship/partner. Not trying to denigrate your relationship but that's just how college is, unless of course you are some sort of ultra-faithful lover boy.

In any event, my advice is to do everything and anything that comes your way. Not academically like some have said, more like dropping acid and driving out to the country on a moment's notice. Now's the time to do everything you can, to make as many memories as possible, and to meet as many people with different backgrounds that you have the opportunity to. And always remember that when you think life gets hard, it's not. College is nothing compared to the real world, so don't forget that you're basically spending your last few years as an irresponsible, thoughtless youth who has the world at their feet. Once you're out, things change pretty drastically.