Nobody wants to admit this. You probably only clicked on this article because you want to laugh about it. However, going from Miss Popularity to Miss Anonymous in approximately 24 hours is hard on some people. You might not even realize how popular you are in high school until you see how unpopular you can be in college. Sure, there’s always going to be that one sorority chick who smiles her way through life, and that college football player who is the pride of the school, but for the rest of us, it’s just not the same. It may be exactly what you’re hoping for, or it may be a really difficult transition. Here are some thought processes to help you to let go of your high school glory.
First Step: Admit It’s There
Is this you? You were on the football team, and your girlfriend was, or perhaps still is, a cheerleader. At graduation, everyone cheered for you. The best friends you’ll ever have are from your hometown, and you plan to keep it that way. If that’s the way you want to live your life, you should just stay in your hometown and get your education online. If you are ready to risk being just another face in a crowd, and you want to experience new things, keep reading.
Possibilities
The possibilities in college are endless. Yes, perhaps your friends from 4th grade will still be the best friends you could ever have, but that doesn’t mean they should be the only friends you have. Be prepared to open your mind up to the endless possibilities of college life. Step outside of your comfort zone and befriend people who are nothing like you.
Priorities
Everyone wants friends and fun, but make sure you know what your priorities are before you sacrifice your $80,000 college education. Parties are amazing, but the price tag is too high. You can skate by in high school, or even schmooze your way to an A, but to most of your college professors, you’re just another punk kid trying to pull a fast one. Set out your priorities for your college career, but be flexible as they change.
Values
We all change in college, we do things that are embarrassing, we hurt ourselves and others, and we make some good and bad decisions. It’s all a part of life, but when you start to ignore your own values for the sake of a little bit of that popularity, then you’re in trouble. Now is when you should be learning about the ways of the world, the hierarchies of life, and the business of being a good person. Don’t take a class just for the sake of looking cool, don’t pick on someone because you’re insecure, and don’t ignore true friends for the sake of a football player’s number. We’re all the coolest and least cool we’ll ever be when we’re in college.
Opportunities
You shouldn’t be focusing on how popular you were in high school, nor should you be focusing on how you can’t seem to get what you want in college. You should be ignoring those categories all together and looking at the potential opportunities you have now. You can make the kind of friends you want, you can be whatever person you want to be, and you don’t have to answer to anybody but yourself. You have more open opportunities for your future during your college career, as long as you’re willing to see them.