ADVERTISEMENT

It might look like high school and college life are separated by only a few, short, glorious summer months, but the reality is very different. The two are worlds apart! There are so many valuable life lessons that you learn almost immediately after going through the college gates that it’s remarkable. Obvious life hacks that you would never have even considered back in school.

Because both autumn and the brand new school year are upon us, here is a list of the unexpected things that people might not teach you in high school but that you learn almost instantly as a college kid. Scroll down and upvotes your favorite life tips, and write us a comment about which college rules you enjoyed the most and why. After you’re done reading this article, have a look at Bored Panda’s fun lists about all the hilarious posts about college life choices that will make you laugh, then cry, and the times broke college students proved they’re the smartest people ever.

(h/t Buzzfeed)

RELATED:

    People start college and university at very different times each year: some of you are already busy studying (or partying, or both), while others will start in the next few weeks. Either way, there’s some common sense advice that freshmen need to hear.

    Kelly Corrigan writes in The New York Times that it’s important to know how to cook nutritious food and to have a basic working knowledge about money and saving before starting your studies.

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #7

    Things-They-Do-Not-Teach-High-School-Learn-College

    JordanRutledge Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Daria B
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    One has authority until the moment when they're forced to apply it. (Corto Maltese)

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #9

    Things-They-Do-Not-Teach-High-School-Learn-College

    LocalGoblin Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Molly Universe
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    There's literally a rule in my high school that teachers may not express political opinions. Nobody cares, though, and they do it anyway. #ExposeKidsToPolitics

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu

    Corrigan also adds that basic things like keeping your dorm room door open and saying ‘hi’ to people around campus can work wonders for your social life. What’s more, you should never be pressured into drinking if you don’t want to — playing tabletop games with a few close friends is a perfectly fine way to spend your Friday night.

    #10

    Things-They-Do-Not-Teach-High-School-Learn-College

    alexuslemasters Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    tuzdayschild
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    No, don't. Life will smack her upside the head. There's no need for you to do it too.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #11

    Things-They-Do-Not-Teach-High-School-Learn-College

    Miguel_nunez Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Kjorn
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    i Always do that. i do all the easy ones. come back for the rest after

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT

    But let’s not forget what college is really about — exercising your brain and growing as a person. So be sure to put in the effort during lectures and seminars: sit in front; participate; ask questions; meet with your professors; do the work; put in the effort.

    #15

    Things-They-Do-Not-Teach-High-School-Learn-College

    GabrielllaRosee Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Chris
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Mate, wait until you get to 40 and have a life, a job, and children to deal with... at which point your body starts falling to pieces for no reason :)

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu

    But remember, there are some things that no one can tell you and that you’ll have to find out for yourself. Dear Pandas, how has your college experience been so far? What awesome, funny, and unexpected lessons did you learn there?

    #16

    Things-They-Do-Not-Teach-High-School-Learn-College

    ColIegeStudent Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Molly Universe
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I don't dress up much, so when I do I get the reaction of "Why are you all dressed up?" Because I want to be!

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #17

    Things-They-Do-Not-Teach-High-School-Learn-College

    ColIegeStudent Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    queen...<3
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My teachers do this to me in high school lmao. They are always talking about email etiquette, and they don't use it half the time but get mad if we don't.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #19

    Things-They-Do-Not-Teach-High-School-Learn-College

    nickccerino Report

    #20

    Things-They-Do-Not-Teach-High-School-Learn-College

    ckauffman20 Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Missetho
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    well, if there is only one likely answer it is not really a MULTIPLE CHOICE exam is it? ;-D Consider yourself lucky already, in Europe, college exams are redactions and you have to write a full essay on a topic for exams...fewer chances to grab points out of luck!

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #22

    Things-They-Do-Not-Teach-High-School-Learn-College

    KristinRebera Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Foxxy
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Self care is very important. I often give my daughter one day a term a day off and call it a mental health day. As someone who suffers severe depression, I know the importance of looking after ones wellbeing.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #25

    Things-They-Do-Not-Teach-High-School-Learn-College

    FlawlessArmani Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Meyer Weinstock
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I heard that kind of remorse after word got around, concerning what was the class discussion and/or video: What? I missed 14th century syphilitic bodies? You lectured on soccer? You showed "The Twilight Zone" episode, the one with the pig faces? Our field trip was to go to the mall and shop? Really? Oh, snap!

    Kathy Baylis
    Community Member
    5 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    In college I had one instructor who would use the optional study day before finals (optional=most students didn’t go to this class—-tbh, neither did most instructors...) to give out answers that would be on the final. I actually cared about my grades (graduated with a 4.0 GPA on the 0-4 scale), so always went to these classes anyway (unless the instructor said they wouldn’t be there either) and was glad of it in this guy’s class!

    Load More Replies...
    PaulV
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Just go to class. You can always opt to zone out, do an x-word puzzle, doodle, play dots-and-boxes with your friend, whatever. At least you'll be there when the prof says "This will /will not be on the test."

    Master Markus
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My problem was that I had to walk to the bus stop, then take a bus for at least 20 minutes to get to the school. And I live in Canada and had some late classes, so it could get COLD and I was TIRED.

    Load More Replies...
    GenXandEarnedItAll
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I should have GONE!!!!! Perhaps you should have "showed" up for grammar class in elementary school.

    _bittersweet_
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I’m not in college, but absolutely feel this way. Like the day I’m gone, Twenty One Pilots performed, the school had a blackout, and all the homework is gone

    GFSTaylor
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Don't worry. If you can't use better grammar than that example, you deserve to fail anyway.

    Mary Haynes
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    graduated 30 yrs ago, still have dreams about it. And dreams that I STILL need that 1 last class before I can graduate.

    Susan Crabtree
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    you should have just GONE.... maybe you should go back to high school

    Bitter Betty
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Anytime I take a day off from work without actually feeling sick. What a waste of a ditch day with that postpartum regret

    jenjie.newt
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    No. I skipped my way through college. They do seem to frown on that in the workplace however

    Tiny Dynamine
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    You should have 'gone' at least to try to correct your dreadful level of English.

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #26

    Things-They-Do-Not-Teach-High-School-Learn-College

    Connor_Clay Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    CrunChewy McSandybutt
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I remember when they kept telling us that we won't carry calculators around with us in the real world. * holds up smartphone

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #27

    Things-They-Do-Not-Teach-High-School-Learn-College

    ColIegeStudent Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    April Simnel
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    College in the UK=sixth form, to take A levels and uni entrance exams, right? The US doesn't have that. The closest thing to it is in New York State and is called the Regents' Exam. Otherwise, you just pass all your classes, pass those classes' final exams, get a diploma and go by age 17-18. No O-levels here. No gap years here (maybe the very rich teens do that, but it's not at all common). IF you want a uni degree, you take the SAT or the ACT during your senior year of high school (these are more comprehensive than A- or O-levels), and supposedly unis look at that score along with your grades and participation in school teams and community service. "College" in the US is synonymous with uni, usually starts at age 18, after high school, and usually lasts until age 21, when one gets a Bachelor of Arts or Science (e.g. "I have a BA in History"). Then one can go on to graduate school for a Masters or a professional degree, like for law or medicine, and then on to a PhD if one wishes.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #29

    Things-They-Do-Not-Teach-High-School-Learn-College

    gabmcmahon Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Kaisu
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    True, when I started uni I cared so much about grades, but now I've come to realise that grades aren't everything

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #33

    Things-They-Do-Not-Teach-High-School-Learn-College

    FactsOfSchool Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Kaisu
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I don't remember the last time I would've gone to bed before midnight

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #34

    Things-They-Do-Not-Teach-High-School-Learn-College

    HANNAHFALLSHAND Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Foxxy
    Community Member
    5 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is why Australian holidays are so much better. We have 4 terms of school. School usually starts mid to late January (depending on state) each term is approx 10 weeks and after each of the first 3 terms there is 2 weeks of holidays. Then after the fourth term there is 6 weeks of holidays from early to mid December to mid to late January. (Again depends on state, some states have a week difference).

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #36

    Things-They-Do-Not-Teach-High-School-Learn-College

    _jcmadrigal Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Diego Cabrerizo
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    In Brazil we have to take all the classes in the course. We can't chose what to take, even if we hate it, or if it has no relevance. Sad.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #39

    Things-They-Do-Not-Teach-High-School-Learn-College

    umtatiana Report

    #40

    Things-They-Do-Not-Teach-High-School-Learn-College

    tjking1204 Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Daria B
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If... we're... taaaalkiiiing about... love.... Then I have to tell you... Deeeeeear readeeeeeers.... ♬♪

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    Continue reading with Bored Panda Premium
    Unlimited content
    Ad-free browsing
    Dark mode
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #41

    Things-They-Do-Not-Teach-High-School-Learn-College

    GirlsNoteBook Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Ann Abdelzaher
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    for sure I had a hard time transitioning to college because I have Dyslexia and am an auditory and visual learner... yeah reading the book to get the materials was hard and I had no idea what to right in my notes.

    #42

    Things-They-Do-Not-Teach-High-School-Learn-College

    DiannePater Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    AP
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    In high school the responsibility of ensuring the students learn is on the teacher. In college, where the education is paid for by the student, it is the student's responsibility. 300 students in college makes sense since they each have only themselves to be responsible for. In high school, 30 students is a lot for a single teacher to take responsibility for.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #44

    Things-They-Do-Not-Teach-High-School-Learn-College

    zachpatton98 Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #48

    Things-They-Do-Not-Teach-High-School-Learn-College

    CaucasianJames Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Foxxy
    Community Member
    5 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    We have clubs and social groups in our Uni’s but nothing like sororities or fraternities. Are they really as bad as what movies and tv shows depict them to be?

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda