You’ve heard it a million times: College is the best time of your life. You get to live with the freedom of an adult, but none of the responsibility. Friends abound in close quarters, so finding a person (or people) to hang with is never a problem. Making your own course schedule allows you to sleep in and – in many cases – give yourself long weekends. For many, it just doesn’t get much better than college.
And then when you get out … it’s just not what was promised. We’re here to soften the blow by sharing with you a few of the lies that people tell you about post-college life.
LIE: Your GPA and major matter. No, they don’t. Unless you’re graduating at the top of your class and are applying for some prestigious job – which is probably only 1% of college students – there’s no reason for anyone to ever know or ask about your GPA. So, you were a mediocre student who majored in history? No one will care when you interview for whatever low-level position you’re semi-qualified for.
LIE: Life will be just like Sex & the City/Entourage/[insert unrealistic television show here]. No, you will not live in a ginormous loft like Monica and Rachel on Friends, sit VIP at clubs like Vincent Chase or have Carrie Bradshaw’s wardrobe. You will more likely be making under $40,000/year and will feel lucky to go on a shopping spree at Forever 21.
LIE: You can climb the corporate ladder and be at the top in five years. No, you will not oust the senior VP with 25 years of experience, no matter how smart you are. Instead, focusing on working hard and earning your stripes – you’ll be respected and noticed for that before anyone gives a shit about how smart you are. The world is full of intelligent people, but dedicated worker bees are hard to come by.
LIE: Your college friends won’t be in your life five years from now. Not necessarily. Friendships certainly evolve and change over the years, and once people start having families, those yearly weekends together might start to vanish. But many people remain tight with their college roommates for years after graduation – it’s just important that you also move on and make new friends, rather than keep a highlight reel of the antics of Apartment 28 playing in your head constantly.
LIE: You are a special snowflake. We get it. You were a great athlete in high school and the president of your sorority in college. Unfortunately, the real world doesn’t give a shit. Sure, there are standout people in society, but the majority of us get lumped in with everyone else. There are no blue ribbons for “trying” or “finishing.” In the real world, you have to work for everything you get, including praise from your boss, a trip abroad or – sometimes – even friends. We know it’s an adjustment, but you’ll get used to it.lies people tell you after graduation