5 Myths about College
You hear a lot about college. These things influence how you think about college. Regardless if you decide to attend a private or public, big or small, near or far college these five myths are sure to come up.
The 4 Year Promise
There is this expectation that you will get a degree after 4 years (8 semesters) of college courses. It isn’t just a goal, but often times comes as an expectation. I know this may be hard news, but a lot of us college students end up being “super seniors”. We regularly spend an extra semester or year taking courses.
This not bad news. You get to take more fun classes if you want. This extra time also allows you to spend more time participating in your favorite extra curricular activities.
I am taking an extra year, a semester of classes and a semester of student teaching. Quite a few education majors elect to take an extra semester or year. It really helps give us time to get our licensing exams lined up and participate in the things we love at college.
There Isn’t Help Paying for College
This one is so false it hurts! There are tons of places you can go to apply for scholarships and grants. Check with your potential schools to see their scholarship directory. These will help you bring in the big bucks to help cover college costs.
Liberal Arts Majors Don’t Get Hired
You’ve heard it a million times, the starving artist rumor. Guess what, humanities majors aren’t doing that badly in the job market. According to this article by The Atlantic, employment statistics show that the humanities (and the arts) students are getting hired.
Go to College Now or Never
It is an expectation that you should apply to college during your senior year of high school. Would it be a surprise if I told you college have a lot of non-traditional students? Students that are taking college courses a few years down the line (or maybe quite a few years) from high school are very common. It is never too late to apply to college!
You Need to Know Your Major
When I started college I was a mathematics major. I am now a double major in History and Social Sciences. Why? I was given the option to declare my major when I applied. I was intending on becoming a math teacher. I like math, why not put that on my application. However, many students enter college either undeclared or will change their major within the first 2 years. It’s a time to find what you are passionate about, what you want to learn about and do the rest of your life. It isn’t going to be an easy decision, but being undeclared or changing your major is totally normal and perfectly okay!
Tags: admissions, college student, financial aid, major, myths
