The Life of a College Student

Life of a College Student Many people seem to believe that college students have it really easy. When I was in high school, I couldn’t wait until I graduated. Everyone always told me that college was so much fun, and it was so much easier than high school. I dreamed of the college life that I would have. I have realized, with this being my first year in college, that the life of a college student is a very difficult challenge. I never imagined just how hard it would be. Dropout rates are increasing everyday, and these problems are not being addressed properly, because previous generations show little sympathy for the struggles of the younger generation today. College is extremely expensive. This puts a lot of pressure on the students as well as the parents. College costs leave the students in so much debt after they graduate that it will take them a lifetime just to pay it back. Fetterman and Hansen say:
Debt has forced some young people to change their career plans. Of those surveyed, 22% say they've taken a job they otherwise wouldn't have because they needed more money to pay off student-loan debt. Twenty-nine percent say they've put off or chosen not to pursue more education because they have so much debt already. And 26% have put off buying a home for the same reason. A smaller percentage say they've put off marrying (11%) or having children (14%). (USA Today, 2006, para.13). I see this as an extremely big problem. People are even going as far as putting off their wedding day or having children due to their debt. It makes you wonder if college is even worth it because you will be paying off loans for the rest of your life. Trying to manage a job in between studying and class is almost impossible, for most. Some teachers give so much homework that it’s overwhelming. Many students are even abusing prescription pills just to stay awake and study. Godinez says, “At many colleges across the country, main ingredients for academic success are analeptics, mainly Adderall and Ritalin. These prescription drugs are designed for people with ADHD, neurologically based behavioral disorders. However, Adderall and Ritalin have been shown to increase attention span and reduce hyperactivity, and impulsive actions in individuals without ADHD” ( Daily Sundial, 2010, para. 18). Teachers are even going as far as expelling students who they find taking these pills. Social life is very difficult for a first-year college student. Unless you are in a sorority or fraternity, it is very hard to even make a friend. I find it very sad that many students would like to be in some kind of organization, but cannot, due to the expenses. And even if you are in a sorority or fraternity, some people won’t accept you because you are not in the most popular one. There are little to no school events that are for the independent student. I’m hoping this will change in the next few years, so more students can feel like they are accepted. Even though many people think college life is all fun and game’s, being a college student is very hard because of the pressure of finance, negatives of social life, and all the time studying consumes. However, if you overcome all of the negatives you will graduate with your degree, and hopefully be successful.