Harmful College Myths to Bust with Your Teens
There are quite a few harmful college myths that teens can be frightened by before they attend. As a parent, you can explain to them that most stories about the experience are untrue and set their mind at ease. From partying to expenses, here are some of the top myth examples.
You Need to Work Harder than Others
There are many bad misconceptions about college life, and one is that you need to work yourself to the bone. Yes, there is a lot of work that goes into studying, but you won’t succeed after burning out in your first semester! A structured approach is the best way to go about it, with a plan based on classes, deadlines, and free time. Services that offer college prep courses can help you manage your expectations and increase your chances of academic success.
Harmful College Myths About Parties
There are some kids who go to college just for the parties, and the number is larger than you would expect, at around 27% as of 2019. However, Gen-Z attitudes are a bit different today, and it is likely that the figure has decreased. Here are some genuine facts about parties at college:
College parties aren’t like the movies and are often groups of close friends.
Alcohol might be readily available, but most college students are pretty responsible.
Not everyone is interested in parties, and you don’t have to attend them all to fit in.
Your Major is the Only Path
A major is indeed a great path to a fulfilling career. However, it isn’t the only one. Choosing a major is a pretty big deal, but it can be changed later on. In fact, it is pretty standard for students to change their majors halfway through their time at college. Additionally, most students also use their major as a foundation for finding a job outside of what they initially studied. So it helps to not think too much about the major you decided upon, as it is possible to change it later on.
Socializing and Harmful College Myths
There is a strong social element to attending college, but it doesn’t mean you have to engage in every part of student life. While getting an internship after college, and sometimes during, can expose you to the realities of real career experience, one of the most harmful college myths is that you need to be a social butterfly. This isn’t easy for everyone, and although it can be helpful, socialization can also get in the way of studying. Here are some facts about it:
Unlike modern movies and TV shows, most students focus on academia and not sex!
You don’t need to attend every activity. It is better to explore the ones that interest you.
Others will welcome you, and there are support services if you are having a hard time.
College is Four Years of Study
The general time of study when at college is four years, that’s true. However, some courses are much shorter, at two years, and others have longer requirements, such as six. Completing a degree is a long process and requires a lot of dedication. Some students also choose to take a year or two off and come back with some more worldly experience they can apply to studies. There are also some degrees, such as medical, that require a lot of hands-on experience.
Harmful College Myths About Money
Money is a major concern for new students. However, there are many variables that impact costs. For example, in-state tuition averages around $10,000, while out-of-state costs are about $35,000. However, a community college can cost around ten times less. Here are some facts:
Scholarships can pay for part or all of your tuition fees when attending college.
Always apply for financial aid, as it can be a lifeline when funding and income are low.
Community colleges are much cheaper and offer more flexibility than the Ivy leagues.
Professors are Tough and Unapproachable
Everyone has seen those older movies where college professors are grumpy and hate their jobs. This is far from the case! Of course, there might be some teachers who don’t enjoy what they do, but there is usually a personal reason. The vast majority of professors want to see students do well because they care, and it also reflects well on their teaching ability. No one forgets a good teacher, and even college professors are available to offer support in college.
Summary
Sacrificing your personal life and working too hard is a harmful college myth that won’t help you. It’s also untrue that you need to socialize with everyone and attend every gathering. And don’t worry about professors. They are human and always want to see their students doing well.