College: College students are primarily focused on the college environment. School is the number one priority on their list. After school comes deciding whether or not going to class, dealing with the crap some teachers put them through, and combating the evils known as homework and studying. College students also deal with the stress of financial aid and making sure that their futures are secured as far as graduation and employment goes.
Real World: Bills, bills, and more bills. Welcome to adulthood, where most of your money will be allotted towards rent, car payments, and your debt to Sallie Mae before you can even consider splurging on yourself. Your check from work is here today, but it will be gone tomorrow. Dealing with a job you strongly dislike is a challenge that no one wants to battle.
Waking up every day, fighting sleep and traffic in order to get to a job that you despise is something no one wishes even upon their worst enemy. Unfortunately, some have dreadful jobs, which they have to push through until a better opportunity arises. It’s best to try and avoid jobs like this, but sometimes it’s the only option for those of us who require more experience before moving onto something bigger and better.
Romance
College: During your college years, you’re more focused on having fun than having serious relationships. It’s more about meeting new people and experiencing different loves than jumping into relationships. College brings many one-night stands, sometimes friends-with-benefits relationships, and even frequent spur of the moment sex with the same person.
When you jump into a serious relationship in college, it often ends up being more of a “life lesson,” no matter if it is a great relationship or a negative one. You find out more about yourself and the type of person you attract during your college years in the dating game.
Real World: In the real world, you can only date for fun for so long until that day comes when you begin thinking about settling down. It’s more about being involved in serious relationships the older you get. If you’ve dated enough and learned from your past mistakes in college, you’ll be more prepared for dating in the real world.
For those who may not have dated much while in college, they learn more about themselves and the people they attract in the post-college stage. This is the time you start thinking more seriously about marriage and whether or not you’re ready for it.
There you have it. That is my account of the differences between living in college and in the real world. From what you’ve read, both situations have similar experiences, but with different outcomes. The main commonality between these two different worlds is the personal growth you experience. No matter which environment you’re in, it helps you grow.
When you look at each of these beginnings compared to where you are now, you’ll find that you’re in a much more comfortable place mentally. At the end of the day, it’s what you make of your experiences that shapes you. They can either make you or break you as a person. In the end, you’ll always feel like a better version of yourself with each passing day.
Social Life
College Life: In college, you’re surrounded by peers of similar age. Therefore, it’s not really difficult to meet new people and create new friendships and acquaintances. You meet some really great longtime friends in college that you spend every waking moment with, while others are fun acquaintances to party with on the weekends.
Real World: You’re out on your own, living in a new city, with brand new people. However, most of the time, you’re alone and far away from family and close friends. It’s a little more difficult to make new friends after college. You’re surrounded by people of all ages, but every now and then, you’ll come across someone your age.
Most times, you have to explore different opportunities in order to make and build new friendships. Giving people a smile, telling them good morning, or having a brief conversation can create unexpected friendships, flings, or someone that can lead you to a job opportunity.
