Schedule, courses, major
My major determines my career path
Myth.
Your college major does not determine all your future job opportunities. Focusing on developing transferable skills (i.e., communication, leadership, problem-solving, etc.) is more critical for students’ future careers than their choice of major.
If you have a career path in mind, choosing an appropriate major will help you gain the academic knowledge necessary to be successful in that field. It helps you but it doesn’t necessarily affect your career prospects.
First-year college students can choose their dorm and roommate.
Myth (for the most part). Many universities require first-year students to live on campus. Some schools limit new students to freshman dorms and specific housing options, while others don't even give you the option to choose your own roommate. They simply match you with another student.
You might be asked to complete a housing form that all freshmen-to-be who plan to live on campus must complete. Often this form will allow you to include the name of an intended roommate (if you want to live with someone you already know) or the form will ask you about your interests/ lifestyle to match you.
I need to be rich to survive college
Myth.
Yes, college can be expensive. However, one doesn’t need to be rich to handle it. Scholarships, grants, and student loans are ideal ways to pay for college. Many students also have part-time jobs that help to make ends meet (as well as getting job experience for their future careers).
On average, private colleges award more grant money per student meaning "expensive" private colleges may actually cost the same or even less than public colleges.
Colleges want to see certain types of extracurricular activities or favor specific activities over others
Myth.
If you are involved in wholesome extracurricular activities—both interesting and satisfying to you—those are the right choices.
What schools want to see is you being involved in meaningful, engaging, challenging, and fun pursuits. If that does not include volunteer hours, that is quite alright. It is much more important to be actively doing what you love doing, not what someone told you is supposedly required.
Most students know what academic major they want
Myth. National statistics vary but up to 50% of entering college students are undecided about their major.
Many students also change their major more than once throughout their early time in college.
For me, I had until Sophomore year to decide my major/minor (Bates College)
Be wary of the Freshman 15 (gaining weight)
Can be debated. This didn't happen to me. The opposite, actually.
While studies indicate that some weight gain is common in college students, that doesn’t mean you have to fall victim to it.
Healthy eating habits can help you reduce the risk that you’ll gain weight and improve your ability to maintain wellness. There are stronger ties between health outcomes and health-promoting behaviors, like eating a nutritious diet, getting adequate sleep, and being physically active. These behaviors can promote health regardless of an individual’s weight.
Student Loans Are the Good Kind of Debt
Myth.
A lot of people think of student loans as "good" because you use the money as an investment of sorts. The loan you borrow goes into giving you a brighter future after all.
The problem is that even "good" debt is still a debt. You'll have to pay for it, plus the interest isn't something to scoff at. Getting a student loan is a good thing, but only if you don't over-borrow.
Start your research on college websites and on studentaid.gov by comparing the type of loans that are available to you.
Every night will be an all-nighter and that’s OK because it’s college.
Myth.
Time management is a major key to success in college. Start working on this now. The majority of students don’t pull all-nighters and those who choose to don’t do it all the time. Make sure to stay organized ahead of big tests/projects.
If you have several interests, you can incorporate many of them in your college education.
Fact! There are a wide variety of ways that you can combine your many interests while at college:
Choosing a minor(s) Double majoring Using electives to take classes that satisfy other interest areas Gaining experience outside of the classroom with clubs, on-campus jobs, internships, study abroad, etc.
You’re on your own in college.
Myth.
Yes, you do have to be more motivated and self-directed, and your professors aren’t going to automatically pull you aside if you’re doing poorly in a class.
But plenty of resources exist if you want them! In fact, you most likely will have access to more resources than ever before:
These are only a few of the resources available to you in college. The common thread among all of them is that they can only help you if you seek them out.
All Financial Aid Packages Are Created Equal
Myth.
Read your financial aid packages thoroughly and ask your college counselor for help in understanding it. It's important to know the difference between a scholarship grant, a loan, and a work-study program.
In a scholarship, your tuition is fully or partially paid for. You don't have to spend any money unless the package doesn't cover costs for room and board and other miscellaneous fees.
A loan is a debt and will have to be paid off after graduation.
Finally, a work-study program lets you study for free, but in exchange, you will have to work part-time for the university.
You should transfer if you don't feel at home right away
Myth.
Nobody feels at home right away. You have to make new friends and adjust to a new place. It’s important to give yourself some time to get in the groove and make it your home.
I highly encourage you to consult with your family and mentors before deciding if transferring is the best choice.
Easy courses are better than challenging ones
Myth.
Many college students chase the easy A’s: courses with simple content and/or a relaxed professor that almost guarantees a high grade.
But college is not just about grades, but intellectual experience and preparation for life beyond college as well. It can be incredibly advantageous to take the challenging course, and not just to get another graduation requirement out of the way. Working hard and being successful in a difficult course can prepare you for future success in other advanced courses and future jobs.
Does attending an open campus versus a closed campus bring more safety concerns.
Can be true.
An open campus invites general public visitors as well as the campus community to come and go as they please from the property. The opposite is for closed campuses to which the general public may not have that access.
It is important to research the location of your college, crime rates, security initiatives that are in place, etc. I attended an open college where middle schoolers would often come to our library or skateboard around our dorms. There were no issues with that as the population in Lewiston, ME is very small.
College Financial Aid is primarily merit-based (based on academic performance/ talent)
Myth.
There are definitely merit-based financial aid programs and scholarship programs offered to high-achieving students, athletes, and performers.
However, there are also need-based programs, even for average students. In fact, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) program does not look at merit. It focuses on the student's family's ability to pay and the cost of tuition for the chosen college. There are also different types of unusual scholarships that are based on other things besides merit.
All college students enjoy partying for fun
Myth. Certainly, students might talk a lot about weekly parties, but, as you know, that is not the case for most.
The reality is that most days in college involve lectures, homework, projects, and tests. Students have fun in different ways, and more often than not it’s not that wild as myths describe. They’re there for an education, after all.
In college, you are in full control of your schedule
Not quite! Most schools require students to take some courses in several areas to round out their education. This set of courses may be called general education requirements, all-college requirements, liberal arts requirements, or something similar.
However, the student has much more control over, and therefore responsibility for, their own schedule. They usually meet their academic advisor to look over and approve their choices before submitting them.
You don’t need to buy the college textbook (for a college class).
Myth.
The expensive nature of college textbooks can be very intimidating, particularly when a student has a full course schedule and a lot of books to purchase. However, a lack of a required text can often make the difference between passing and failing a course.
Consider renting a textbook, buying used ones from upperclassmen, hunkering down with the library’s copy, or browsing for cheaper prices online to avoid the high costs—there are plenty of options to work around the issue of cost. Some colleges have a scanning machine (that's what I used after my first year).
Of the top 25 universities ranked for the best value in the 2020 U.S. News & World Report, 40% are private colleges due to financial aid packages
Almost a Fact. It is ~96%
The U.S. News & World Report bases this ranking on the academic quality of the school as well as the net cost of attendance for a student who received the average level of need-based financial aid.
But, more importantly, although private colleges have a higher price tag on average, they are also much more likely to offer generous financial aid packages to attract students from all economic backgrounds.
You should be more social in college
Reality (this will bring you many benefits in the long-run)
Social skills learning improves students' positive behavior and reduces negative behavior. It promotes students' academic success, health, and overall well-being.
Also, can help you gain cultural exposure and study better (in groups for specific courses).