Hello!
As I read threads and comments throughout this site, I am repeatedly seeing the phrase “college experience” being thrown around like a hot potato.
I would like to know what the “college experience” is.
Thank you.
Waking up at noon. Running to your 1:00 class. Not forgetting about your 2:30 class. Chilling till dinner. Eating. A few hrs to study. Then finding that nights party. Rolling home about 2 am. Rinse and repeate. 
take all the not fun things about life like studying, exerting effort, managing responsibilities, etc. and then turn the dial to super hard mode.
take all the fun things about life like making friends, partying, eating/doing whatever you want, etc. and then turn the dial to super easy mode.
@yourmomma seriously? Where the hell is the college where that is the norm? Sign me right up!
In all serious though, there really isn’t a single “college experience”. College is what you make of it. Some people do nothing but sleep, skip class, party, and barely pull off d’s. Some people have never been to a party in their life, maintain a “real person” schedule, study hard, work hard, have a bunch of internships, get straight A’s, etc. And then there are plenty of people in between. There is no single experience to be had.
For my daughter, wake at 7:30, eat & coffee then classes from 8-12 generally. Lunch, then sometimes another class at 1. Track practice from 3-6 pm, then team meeting or study tables. Dinner at 7:30-8 pm. Study. Chill. Repeat. So, yes, every student has their own experience.
Enjoy the freedom of making your own decisions and choices, what to eat, when and how to study, enjoy opportunities to attend sporting events, theatre, music, wearing what you want and how to wash it, deciding how to enjoy being alone with only books or games or to keep you awake and content, making good decisions about alcohol, drugs, smoking, speeding and sex. The college experience allows you to decide about what you want to represent and be. The college experience allows you to enter adulthood in a relatively safe environment.
First time I hear the phrase “college experience” I wasn’t sure what it meant. But it did sound expensive.
Thanks for the clarification.
The “college experience” seems like an excuse to not do a lot of things based on the reading I have done. I just wanted the missing piece.
I appreciate everyone’s time and kindness!!
It is the chance to live away from home with a lot of other young adults on campus. Ideally immersed in dorm life, campus activities, studying, and meeting a ton of new people (many who come from different backgrounds). I don’t think it has anything to do with NOT doing things, unless you want to flunk out and go home.
Meeting and making the best friends of your life.