Everyone had some expectations going into university and more often than not, they were very far from reality. Here are 10 expectations we had going in before the reality hit us.

1. Expectation: I can do early classes.

Reality: Early classes were definitely NOT okay. We thought that since we survived 8am classes in high school it would be the same. We were sadly mistaken. You are barely even able to complete your thoughts in an 8am class much less learn. Most university students are zombies before 9. Don’t get me wrong, if mornings are your thing then by all means choose 8am classes. But if you’re like the majority of us, do yourself and your GPA a favour, pick a later class.

2. Expectation: Your relationship with your high school bae will last.

Reality: It probably won’t.………and that’s okay. You might have sworn you’d be together forever but a couple months into university, you might actually end up drifting a part. This is normal as people grow and change. University is possibly the time in your life where you try the most new things, and you will not necessarily want the same things.

3. Expectations: You know yourself very well and you won’t change.

Reality: Universities often times push you outside your comfort zone and you will encounter unique challenges. You meet new people, learn new things, have new views and beliefs and you might even join new clubs. It is highly unlikely that you’ll be the same person at the end of your degree program. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Use this time to be a better you.

4. Expectation: You will keep ALL your high school friends.

Reality: You will make a tonne of new friends. Between the courses, clubs, and people you meet at the lunch spots, you will have a lot of opportunities to add to your friendship circle. You will more than likely still talk to some of your high school friends but maybe not as exclusively as before.

5. Expectation: You will have a tonne of free time to waste.

Reality: You don’t. Looking at your schedule you might see mostly blank spaces. Some days you might not even have school, but don’t be fooled. University deadlines and the work load has a way of sneaking up on you. You don’t have to go to every party, mostly because there will always be another one soon. Have fun, but use that free time to actually get some work done.

6. Expectations: Notes will be dictated

Reality: Most lecturers won’t be giving you notes. You will be entrusted to listen and write down the relevant points. Most of the time there will be lecture notes online but some lecturers purposely leave things out to discuss in class and then later test you on. Don’t fall into that trap.

7. Expectation: Class sizes will be large and the lecturers won’t know you.

Reality: Okay, some classes are huge and the lecturer will find it hard to know you personally, but this isn’t true 100% of the time. You might be in a class with 20 people or a class with 200. If you attract attention to yourself whether good or bad the lecturer might just remember your face out of the 200.  Oh and sometimes you get graded for participation so don’t be afraid to be heard.

8. Expectation: Your high school study habits that you used to pass your CSEC/CAPE subjects will get you through university.

Reality: I wish I could say this is true. Taking a high school approach to university work will leave you confused, angry and maybe failing. The coursework tends to be more weighty and complicated. Therefore you will be required to put in way more work. Studying everything the night before the exam would be a terrible idea. Just don’t.

9. Expectation: You can eat whenever you want.

Reality: While some lecturers may allow you to have a snack, don’t expect to march into lecture rooms, sit at the front and casually eat a box food. University is full of freedom but this is going a little too far.

10. Expectation: Your major is the right choice.

Reality: A lot of students switch their majors after first year. They might realize their major isn’t what they thought it would be or they picked up a new passion. Sometimes their major was just too hard. Whatever the reason, students switch all the time and they usually don’t regret it. Once you find your passion, school doesn’t seem that bad.