College Clichés: Investigating the Truth Behind These Common Adages

By Felicia Reich on October 23, 2016

As a know-it-all eighteen-year-old, I assumed nothing I encountered in college could possibly surprise me. Classes will be hard. Professors will be scary. Parties will be abundant. I knew this. Whether from college-prep seminars, conversations with friends and relatives, or my unhealthy obsession with Legally Blonde, I had heard every clichéd piece of college-bound advice more times than I would have liked. But until I began to experience college first-hand, it was only then that I could recognize which of these sentiments held legitimacy and which were simple scare tactics.

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Cliché No. 1- Keep An Open Mind

I recall my father giving me this particular piece of advice: “You’ve always been kind to the quiet kids,” he began, “but you know those obnoxious kids that just make you scoff and roll your eyes? Be kind to them too.” As difficult as this is to type, yes, I admit, my father was right. Upon entering college, the cliques and stereotypes that plague your high school vision fall completely to the wayside. What I have found in my Homeric eight weeks at Florida State University is that everyone has something of value to contribute. While you may have to rummage through some opposing opinions and unfortunate phrasing, everyone’s life experiences provide you with a fresh perspective.

Cliché No. 2- You’re Completely On Your Own

Although the thought of independence excited me (No curfew? No chores? No groundings? I’ll take all three with an extra shot of youthful rebellion.), the reality of having to maintain complete self-sufficiency terrified me. Fortunately for me, I did not find as much truth to this particular trope. While you may not have your mom there to nurse you when you’re sick, loving roommates and friends serve as a great substitute. And those scary professors I mentioned earlier? They’re a lot more understanding than those freshman-eating monsters I feared them to be.

*P.S. That whole “no chores” thing? Yeah. No.

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Cliché No. 3- These Are the Best Years of Your Life

Now this one I approach with caution. Who am I to speak to this when I am currently experiencing these proposed “best years”? I have been lucky enough in my month and a half of college to have already had moments that made me think, “This is something I’m going to remember.” It’s a beautiful thing to watch yourself grow from the person you were months, weeks, or even moments ago. Each triumph (small ones included) and each failure (they are abundant) are guiding me on my path to self-discovery. And if the thought of becoming my best self doesn’t contribute to the joy of these college years, then the pure bliss of making lifelong friendships, creating memories, and learning for my own edification might just suffice.

 

So here it is. My clichéd, overused piece of advice: It’s Okay to Take People’s Advice. You never know what truths may therein lie.

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