<p>My generation grew up watching Britney Spears's little sister prance (or scooting along on her Jet X!) around a stunning California campus with limitless freedom. As soon as I told my friends from home that I was going to be living away for my high school years at a boarding school, their immediate responses where, "OMG it's just like Zoey 101!". Wrong. I came home for my first break with a myriad of misconceptions:</p>
<p>1) Your GO TO CLASSES! in the show, a classroom was only shown if it was vital to the storyline. If boarding schools were really like that, graduating would not be a reachable goal.</p>
<p>2) Dorm rooms are not that glamourous. Granted, each school has a different dorm styles and sizes, but the odds of you living in a room with a connecting bathroom are pretty slim. You might want to get used to the idea of wearing flip flips in stall shower and brushing your teeth in a line at the sinks like animals at a trough. (Not that it's bad, it is an easy adjustment!)</p>
<p>3) Dorm privileges are more strict! (and for the better!) There is a flaw in the show that kids have huge tv's in their rooms and mini fridges to store their "Blix Juice", but many school save tv and refrigerator rights until senior year (rules will vary by schools). But on a serious note, Zoey 101 shows that Chase, Logan, and Michael can go in and out of the girls' rooms as often as they want, and vice versa. On the contrary, most boarding schools have parietal privileges that state specific hours when one may visit the room of the opposite gender, as long as that person has permission from the adult in charge. I'm sure Zoey Brook's mom would have wanted those rule... </p>
<p>4) Your dorm advisor will NOT be like Coco! Yes, they may love ravioli, but they will be a trustworthy adult and practically your parent away from home. If you build a good relationship with them, you will feel more comfortable with going to them with your problems. After all, that is what they are there for! They are perfect for talking through problems and giving you a hug when needed, as opposed to the girls taking care of Coco.</p>
<p>5) Your roommate situations will vary, and they may not be perfect. Unlike the show, you will most likely not wait up with wires attached to your head as your roomie is checking out your electrodes, or asking if you can keep a stray dog in your room, and probably not quarantining you to your room for a disease they made in a lab. The roommate problems you will most commonly find are the problems like keeping your side of the room clean, what music you like to listen to, and things like what times you go to bed and wake up. But the best way to avoid roommate issues is to be completely honest about who you are and be conscious about how your actions effect your roommate's living. Another thing to note is that you don't have to be "Best Friends" with your roommates. Sometimes, it is better to have someone who you get along with, but don't socially hang out with as a roommate, this way you both have your space. Though Lola and Zoey might say otherwise, try not to shack up with your "bestie" because in reality, you will end up being further apart, whereas rooming with and acquaintance will bring the two of you together.</p>
<p>The one thing the show did get right was that at boarding school, you make life long friendships! The people you meet in high school are very important, but when you are living away with them, you are all growing up together in a very mature and fun environment. Boarding schools are filled with the most diverse group of kids, and I guarantee you will find a perfect niche of friends that will help guide you through your high school years. Zoey 101 got that right, but don't count on a sushi bar unless you order take-out, then in that case, ask for a larger allowance from mom and dad.</p>