22 tra Fact vs. Fiction: The US College Experience
By Emma Christman
The wide range of activities and clubs available on American college campuses makes it easy to use your spare time in a fun and fulfilling way. The community-focused atmosphere and campus setting helps new friendships form. Students are given incredible freedom to plan their own schedules and to find the right balance between studying, self-care, and time for friends and hobbies. No two people will have exactly the same college experience, and this means that each person can choose to do what suits them best.
Photo by Florencia Viadana on Unsplash
Fact vs. Fiction: The US College Experience
Attending university is a unique period of life that can bring newfound freedom and independence. Students have the opportunity to explore their interests in class, meet new friends and roommates, envision their future careers, and perhaps even move to a new city or country. It is no surprise then that this important period of growth and self-discovery has been the subject of so many books and films seeking to capture the college experience. In particular, the fictional lives of college students in the United States frequently appear on screen; movies like Pitch Perfect, Animal House, Good Will Hunting, Legally Blonde, and many more entertain us with their wild parties, stern professors, student shenanigans and collegiate atmosphere. But how much of what these movies show is real, and how much is dramatized for entertainment? In order to know what it’s really like to go to college in the US, it’s essential to separate fact from fiction. This article will address some of the most common myths about being a college student in America.
Myth: Students at US colleges don’t study much, since they are always at parties.
Reality: Being a full-time student at an American college is highly demanding. Most college students will take four or five classes per semester, spending an average of about 15 hours in classes per week. While 15 hours of combined lectures, seminars, and laboratory work may not sound like much, it is usually expected that students will spend an additional 30-45 hours every week on homework assignments, projects, study groups, and revising class material for exams. Furthermore, midterm and final exams at US colleges are only held once, and students who fail usually cannot retake these exams. It is true that college students have a lot of freedom in deciding how to spend their time outside of class. Every individual must decide on the right balance between studying and other aspects of college life. Of course, the majority of students still find time to relax, unwind and enjoy themselves with friends at night and on weekends. But contrary to what the movies might suggest, the combined demands of in-class hours and independent work result in a busy academic schedule for most students.
Myth: Professors at US colleges are always strict, stern and unapproachable.
Reality: When you think of a college professor, who comes to mind? It is easy to imagine the stereotype of an aloof academic who is buried in research and disregards students. But actually, many professors at American colleges genuinely love teaching and work hard to create engaging class environments. Students are treated as adults and their contributions are valued. In both lecture and seminar-style classes, students are encouraged to ask questions, debate concepts, and share their own opinions during class. Professors at US colleges are also typically required to hold multiple office hours each week. During office hours, professors are available to speak with students who have questions and to mentor those needing advice. Some colleges have gone further and come up with unique ways to promote strong academic relationships between university faculty and their students. At Harvard University, a program called Classroom to Table provides funding for small groups of students and faculty to dine or have coffee together. At other schools, some professors may even live on campus to serve as student deans or resident advisors. Overall, professors at US colleges are approachable and invested in the success of their students.
Myth: Sports are the only activity for students outside of class.
Reality: While playing or watching sports is a favorite activity for some students, it is by no means the only option. Most US colleges have a wide range of women’s and men’s sports teams: American football, basketball, baseball, soccer, swimming, rowing, track and field, rugby, volleyball, lacrosse, ice hockey, tennis, and even quidditch are commonly offered to students. At some schools, especially those with Division I American football and basketball teams, attending sports games is a big part of student life on campus. These schools place strong emphasis on school spirit and many students choose to spend their weekends at games, rooting for their classmates on the field. However, US colleges also offer a wide array of other activities to choose from. Colleges have artistic groups like musical ensembles, dance teams, and theater troupes; clubs for hobbies like hiking, knitting, or video games; cultural and identity-based groups like an African student union or LGBTQ+ group; and student societies based around interests like community volunteering or political activism. American colleges pride themselves over how many different extracurricular activities they offer, and even encourage students to start their own clubs or societies. While a range of athletic options do exist for those who want them, students not interested in sports will have no problem finding activities or communities where they fit in.
Myth: The only way to make friends is by joining a fraternity or sorority.
Reality: Fraternities and sororities frequently appear in movies that take place at US colleges. These are “brotherhood” or “sisterhood” organizations where members live together and organize social events together, like formal dances, holiday celebrations, or volunteering. Fraternities and sororities are also called “Greek life” because these organizations have Greek letter names, such as Chi Omega or Delta Tau Delta. For some, joining a fraternity or sorority can be a great way to make friends and find a community in college. There can also be professional benefits to joining, such as accessing a large alumni network. However, these organizations have sometimes faced criticism for being socially exclusive and expensive to join. Not all colleges have fraternities and sororities, and the percentage of the student body who participate varies between schools. Ultimately, there are lots of ways to find community in college; roommates, classmates, and teammates can all go from being strangers to being life-long friends. While some students form great friendships through fraternities and sororities, it is equally possible to have a happy social life in college without participating in Greek life.
Movies that portray college life in the US have a tendency to dramatize for entertainment. These films only show one type of college experience, involving lots of football games, fraternity parties and not much studying. The reality of being a college student in the US is usually less carefree and more academically demanding than what the movies would suggest. But the good news is that the experience of studying in the US is really what you make of it. The wide range of activities and clubs available on American college campuses makes it easy to use your spare time in a fun and fulfilling way. The community-focused atmosphere and campus setting helps new friendships form. Students are given incredible freedom to plan their own schedules and to find the right balance between studying, self-care, and time for friends and hobbies. No two people will have exactly the same college experience, and this means that each person can choose to do what suits them best.