5 University Myths Debunked

Incoming college students often have many strange preconceptions about what their life at the university will be like. They have seen a lot of craziness on movie and television screens that has misled them about college life. Possibly they have heard rumors or tall tales about college from a family member who was recently at a university. Many of these preconceptions are based on mythological grounds. People cannot get away with the shenanigans that are reported in rumors and on TV and movie screens.

Some students get excited about university life because they know that they will have an independence that they have never had before. When they were in high school, they were punished for skipping classes. Some campuses had truant officers to intimidate students into staying in class and on campus. If they were absent for even a single class, the school’s attendance computer would call their parents to let them know. Now that they are in college they plan on skipping classes because no one will stop them. It is true that they can skip all the classes that they want. However, the consequences are just delayed. Untrustworthy acquaintances may have assured them that they can skip classes and get away with it. Professors will expect them to know what went on in class when finals week comes around.

Conversely, there are some students who are paralyzed with fear of how much more difficult college level classes will be compared to their high school classes. There is an increase in difficulty and expectations as students switch over to college classes. These challenges are easily met by anyone who is qualified to be in a university. The difficulty comes with handling the different lifestyle of a college setting. It takes self-motivation and an ingrained sense of responsibility for students to force themselves to go to class and study their textbooks now that no one is watching.

Some arrive at college convinced that life at the university will be one long party, interrupted by the occasional class endured through a hangover. It is not a myth that there are students who think like that. Their existence after first semester is, however, mythological. Students actually have to pass classes to stay in school and qualify for financial aid. There are some great parties at college, but most of life at the university consists of classes and study sessions.

Everyone seems to think that it is natural to put on weight in college. Adding the freshman 15 is, in fact, another myth about college life. Some students do indeed put on weight, but it is not an unavoidable part of life. Furthermore, many students take advantage of generous opportunities to use the gyms on campus and are soon in the best shape of their lives.

Starving college students are another group of imaginary beings. Many college students are in need of money. However, no one starves on a college campus. Otherwise, from where did the myth of the freshman 15 come?

About the Author

Katherine Clemmons is a writer who enjoys sharing her knowledge and advice with readers.  For more on education myths, Intelligence Unit offers readers more on myths in American higher education.

Mythbusters-Mega Movie Myths [Part 1/9]