University Life Is Not What It Used To Be

There are many expectations that surround university life. In this article we will talk about them.

There are many expectations that often revolve around the prospect of studying at university and university life in general. It is a good idea to analyze them and compare them with how things really are.

We have always associated certain, popular ideas with the university world. This is also not surprising, as university life can be perceived in many different ways. In fact, there are no two identical statements about the personal experiences of going to university.

Going to university to get an education is an option that many people, as a rule, consider from a fairly early age. Because of this, it is a good idea to analyze what expectations usually exist to see if they are still reflected in today’s society.

Expectations for university life

Times always change, but the idea of ​​going to university actually still inspires thousands of marketing campaigns throughout our childhood.

These come to us through our teachers, acquaintances and other, influential people in our lives. They tell us that going to university to get an education is the best thing we can do to achieve security and stability in the future.

However, the different ideas about studying at university are no longer the same. This is due to the many, social changes over the years. Especially in the labor market. But, despite this, there are still expectations associated with studying to get an education: 

Job readiness

It is very common to think that having an education will make us more job-ready than other people who have an elementary school education or those who specialize at an equal level.

Obviously,  each education has different opportunities that will give people some advantage in the job market.

However, the belief that a bachelor’s degree (whatever it may be for one) will give us an advantage because we consider it to be a higher qualification is a belief that cannot be converted to academic or work reality. .

The party life

Universities and parties are two areas that go hand in hand, in most people’s ideology. American influences on the lives of college students nurture this expectation.

In many American movies and TV series, we see how  university life has almost become a philosophy with countless rules, rituals and customs. The United States is quite unique in its philosophy of university life, and universities in Europe tend not to fit in with that in that sense. However, there is one exception, which is Erasmus scholarships.

Intellectual growth

The expectation that if you go to university, you will automatically become a truly intelligent person, is also a widespread belief. Unfortunately, the cultivation of your mind and your intellect has more to do with your personal attitude than with the intellectual stimulation that an education, as a rule, offers.

Independent

We often associate university life  with the incredible freedom and independence it brings. When people leave their hometown to go to university, the resulting freedom is even greater. This particular expectation is, as a rule, true, at least according to daily activities.

However, there is not the same amount of “freedom” according to the studies. Participation is often mandatory at the university, unless the professor decides to “look the other way”.

What do you get out of university life?

Whatever your expectations are,  university life is a small, but important, stage in your life. If you decide to choose this direction, you will learn a lot. However, you will learn the most important lessons outside the classroom.

One of the most beautiful things about university life is that you are able to share time and mingle with people you had never imagined having to meet. Many of them will teach you a whole lot about life. You will hear their opinions, debate with them and have deep, sincere conversations. These people are what you truly take with you when you leave university.

Some of these people will, of course,  end up being faithful friends,  while others will be people you will enjoy watching as they evolve. There will also be those you will barely say more than a few words to.

Believe it or not. You will remember them all. Even the last ones we mentioned. You will remember the shy guy who always greeted you with a smile, or the young woman who sat right behind you that you never got to know.

There is one thing that university life will offer you more than the friendships themselves: A beautiful sense of nostalgia! University can be a true, memorable part of your life that you will preserve forever.