Hey, did ya hear about the "10 Minute Rule"? Well, it goes something like
this: If your prof's 10 minutes late to class, you can get up and leave.
It's a rule? Not really. Just one of those college myths probably started
by a student who wanted an excuse to skip class and head on over to the student
union for a cup of coffee. Then, of course, there's the "Dead Roommate" clause, featured in a recent
movie. It goes something like this: If your roommate dies, you get a 4.0
for the semester. Supposedly, this great grade-point average will
"compensate" for all the trauma and grief you experienced because of the
whole ordeal. Again, nope. Not a rule. OK, let's be real here. There are tons of college-related myths out there
that just aren't true. So you'll want to separate reality from rumor. After all, you don't want to start college thinking your roommate might do
you in, just to make the dean's list. Weddings-R-Us?
Did you know this? If you don't meet your future spouse during college,
you'll never get married. Relax, it's a myth.Unfortunately, some colleges have gained a reputation as a sort of "Marriage
Factory." You go there to look for a mate, and within a year after graduation
(or even before graduation) you're happily married. I'm sure you've heard
the dumb old joke about the girl who's working on her M.R.S. degree. … Anyway, because of this myth, many students spend a lot of time—time better
spent studying or building friendships—searching for that perfect man or
woman. But keep two things in in mind: 1) There is no perfect man or woman. 2) College is primarly about getting an education, not about finding a mate. OK, some people do end up falling in love at college—and some of those people
do get married. But you and your parents are not forking out bundles of bills
so you can find a future mate. If love happens, cool. If not, hey, no problem.
Learning—and applying your faith to what you're learning—is your first
priority. Where Are All My New Friends?
There are a few myths about friendship, and some of them contradict each
other. Consider this one: You'll never make new friends! Or the fictional
flip side: Everybody on campus will be your friend!Here's the reality: Friendship will happen. You will make friends, but making
friends will take some work. In a sense, you're starting all over. You're
going to have to take some chances, like saying "hello" to someone you don't
know. You're going to have to get involved in some activities, like intramural
basketball or French club. Yep, you'll need to do something to make friends. But, again, friendship
is gonna happen. As for being a friend to everyone on campus? Well, just
concentrate on a few good friends—you know, quality, not quantity. While we're talking about friendship, here's another myth: You and your
roommate will be best friends. Oh, it could happen. You two might get
along really well. You might go to some concerts together. You might study
together. You might read your letters from home to each other. But on the
other hand, you might never see each other because your schedules are so
different. You might not even want to spend time together, because your
personalities are so different. If you and your roommate aren't great friends,
it doesn't mean you've got the world's worst roomie. It also doesn't mean
you're doing something wrong. You're simply roommates, not buddies. In a Perfect World?
It's tempting to think that because you're going to a Christian college,
you're landing in some sort of heavenly world. Everybody always gets along.
Everybody loves school all the time. There are no problems. No doubt about
it: You'll be transported to educational paradise. In a sentence, this myth
states: A Christian college is a perfect place.Time to get back down to earth on this one. Yes, Christian colleges offer
many opportunities to grow in your faith and as a person. Most people who
go to a Christian college want to practice love and forgiveness. They desire
to live out their Christian values. Even so, Christian colleges are full
of people—imperfect people. Many of those people struggle. Some of them
struggle more than others. It's a fact that Christian colleges aren't perfect. Even so, don't let the
imperfections—including your own—overshadow all the good and positive things
you'll find on campus. Study? All the Time, Right?
You will do nothing but study. Some freshmen arrive on campus thinking
this myth is totally true. They feel that all they'll ever do is read a
truck-load of textbooks, take mountains of notes, sharpen a zillion pencils
and type a few thousand term papers.There are a three main reasons—also myths—why new freshmen think this way: 1) You must maintain a 4.0 GPA. For some students, it's pretty easy to pull straight
A's in high school. These high achievers don't even know what a B looks like.
But we've talked to really, really smart college grads who want to say this:
"It ain't gonna happen!" That B (or C) will show up on your transcript. And
when that happens, it won't be the end of the world. 2) Without great grades, you'll never get a decent job. Grades are important, but
there are other things that will also go a long way toward getting you ready
for your post-college career. Employers are interested in well-balanced
people—people who've demonstrated leadership skills and who know how to
relate well to others. But it's impossible to develop those kinds of "life
skills" if you're super-glued to a textbook. For these kinds of skills, you'll
need to leave your desk and find a place in a ministry, club, part-time job
or other after-class activity. But you don't have to do them all. Your future
boss will be thrilled if you've done one or two of them really well. If you do try to do everything on campus, you've fallen for this myth: You
must be involved in everything. (For help in handling this problem, see
the article on page 70, "Warning:
Overloaded Schedules Can be Hazardous …") 3) Professors want to flunk you. Professors are out to get you, right? So if you don't
study, study, study you will flunk, flunk, flunk. Wrong. Yes, college is hard and professors can be very tough, but they are there
to teach you—not fail you. They care about your education, and they care
about you. They want to help you succeed. If you struggle, talk with them.
No, professors are not ogres. They are reasonable, and they are human. All Alone?
When freshmen begin college, they finally feel free and independent—maybe
for the first time in their lives. They are so excited by this new independence,
they easily buy into this myth: When you hit the campus, you are completely
on your own.And this seems pretty cool, until trouble strikes. Maybe you're homesick.
Maybe you're struggling with your course load. Maybe you're struggling
emotionally. Maybe you're doubting your faith. The fact is, a Christian college is a place where support is right down the
hall at the Resident Assistant's room. Or across campus in the chaplains'
office. And, as we've just said, professors are also helpful people who care.
If you're struggling with your studies, many schools offer tutoring and courses
in developing better study skills. Along with all this help, faculty members
and students are willing to pray for you and with you. But in order to keep this myth from messing with your head, you must be willing
to say: "I can't go it alone." So Watch Out!
These are just some of the myths you'll run into during your first month.
There will most likely be others. So remain just a bit skeptical when you
hear something that seems a little off or appears too good, or too weird,
to be true.And please do your roommate a favor, even if you don't become best buddies.
Assure your roomie that it really is OK to get something less than a 4.0.
After all, you wouldn't want anybody getting any strange ideas … Copyright © 1999 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information. | 
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