Student life is awesome, but sometimes things don't quite go like you planned or dreamed them!

Student life: expectations versus reality

We all have an idyllic image of what our time at university or University of Applied Sciences is going to look like. A life where you will party every day, you will never have to really study that hard and of course money will never be a problem. But do those expectations meet reality?

Expectation: Party everyday
Reality: You will probably spend many nights alone in your bed, with Netflix as your only companion. It is not realistic to expect that you will party all the time. First, your bank account has a limit, unfortunately. Secondly: there's the study part to cover, and even if there was a party down across the hallway every night, you still need to put those essays and assignments together. 

Expectation: You will never miss a lecture
Reality: In the meantime, you have learned that your university timetable differs greatly from your hours at high school. You can have a lecture in the morning and another lecture at 5 o'clock. Besides that, not all classes have a presence-requirement, so playing hooky has never been this easy! Don't get yourself into trouble and just go to class! Skipping classes thinking you can cover the topic on your own at another time will only likely lead to you cramming the night before the exam in absolute panic, so best to avoid that last minute reading altogether and get yourself to class to study - it will pay off. 

Expectation: Living on your own is great
Reality: When you finally leave your parents' house, it certainly feels liberating. But after a while you start to miss living at home with parents who would help you with adulting. Suddenly, on top of your studies, there's a ton of other things to remember - rent, laundry, electricity, internet and water bills, groceries... Developing a good routine to your week will help you get a smooth start. 

Expectation: You will never visit your parents, except on special days and during the holidays
Reality: You will visit your parents when you are in need of food or money, or anything you can't get yourself. The freedom when you leave home is exciting, but you will visit your parents way more than you expect. 

Expectation: You know how to deal with money, you will never become the typical poor student!
Reality: Despite student finance and loans, your income is still pretty low. Sometimes the expectation fits reality, but unfortunately it doesn't when it comes to money. You will become the stereotypical student, always looking for discounts. Luckily, you have the global discounts with your ISIC card. You have limited means, but for sure you will be creative!

Expectation: Studying is always interesting and graduating will be easy
Reality: Choosing your own path and subjects to study sounds great right? Studying will be so easy now that you are only doing subjects you enjoy! Sadly, that's not the case. Every topic has unenjoyable parts and life can't be all fun and games all the time. You have to deal with the not-so-fun parts to be able to enjoy the amazing parts. Sometimes you'll find topics that first seemed to be the worst turn out to be the best (and vice versa).  

Expectation: You will meet your best friends on your first day at university and you remain friends for life.
Reality: People walk in and out of your life faster than you ever thought was possible. Having a healthy social life is great, but to have best friends you can trust and connect with is irreplaceable. It sometimes takes some time and experience to find them. 

Ultimately, of course, everything will be fine, and your student time will be one of your most carefree times - so make the most of it!