AH, AUTUMN.

It’s the time of year when the leaves change colour, the temperature dips – and another academic year begins. But a lot of things you’d expect from starting college are actually not as they seem. Here’s a dose of reality.

EXPECTATION: “I’m going to read and learn SO much!”

Source: Flickr/SapphireBlue

REALITY: You’re going to learn how to speed read entire course reading lists in the two hours before a summer exam.

Source: Shutterstock

EXPECTATION: “I’m gonna eat such new and fancy things!”

Lord SiD Valera Lord SiD Valera

REALITY: Nope. Noodles.

Source: 1yearframes

EXPECTATION: “I’m gonna get really into activities and societies!”

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REALITY: You’ll join them all in Freshers’ Week, but kiss goodbye to ever seeing the Knitting Soc again, sunshine. Duvets and DVDs are the order of the day for extra-curricular time.

Source: Shutterstock

EXPECTATION: “It’s gonna be so cool having my own place!”

REALITY: You’re going to either live in a shoebox shared with what seems like thirty flatmates.

EXPECTATION: “I’m gonna be so independent!”

REALITY: You’re definitely going to end up bringing a bag of washing back home to Mammy on the bus at least once.

Source: Flickr/Jamiesrabbits

What are some of the reality checks you got when you went to college?

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