College Life Fact V Fiction
We’ve all seen the movies, Van Wilder, Legally Blonde, American Pie 2, Road Trip.. the list goes 
on… and yes college is awesome and you are most likely going to have the time of your life… But to avoid disappointment and set the record straight for parents and athletes alike, your time at college is going to be less like Van Wilder and hopefully more productive and sporting focused.
Don’t get me wrong there will be parties, girls and guys but you are less likely to be driving around campus in a golf cart, have a personal assistant or live in a fully furnished sorority house decked out with a huge plasma and the latest mod cons.
But it’s not just Hollywood which has skewed the truth, but also second hand tales passed down from student to friend, to friend to parent, you know the kind that has automatically become ‘Fact’. We hope to dispel these pesky rumours and give you the best possible start to college life.
MYTH 1#
You must choose your major right away
FALSE
Not only is this not true, but for many it might not be a wise choice to jump the gun and choose a major in your first year, until you can pin point your passions after completing your core subjects. Although many students will change majors at least once while at college, you may risk losing credits due to different graduation requirements if you are unsure about your major choice.
MYTH 2#
College life is much harder than high school
FALSE
Harder is not the right word, but different is closer to the truth. For many college is the first time you will be living out of home and away from your family. There will be no parents breathing down your neck to tell you to wake up and go to school, no one to tell you to do your homework. Therefore, the difficult part for most college students is learning how to time manage, self motivate and juggle 
your new found sport and academic responsibilities with all the extracurricular fun!
MYTH 3#
All college students have cars and live in huge frat houses
FALSE
Especially as a international freshman it is unlikely you will have a car, in saying this most of you will have friends and team mates who will be able to help you out if you need a lift. But most of you will live close enough to campus facilities that you will be able to walk. Secondly, unless you have the funding you are unlikely to have a ‘pimped’ out house off campus or dorm room. You will have the essentials but like any home will acquire more extra goods over time. College is what you make of it, and may be a adjustment for many coming from the comforts of home, but hopefully you will be able to enjoy the amazing facilities and not be focused solely on where your sleep.
MYTH 4#
College students are poor and starving
FALSE
For the most part, you will be with your soccer, basketball team and have an abundance of food for breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as snacks pre and post training and games.
College coaches and staff make sure all players are well fed to keep up with grueling training schedules and ensure that bodies are kept in the best condition for games. You are also allowed to work a maximum of 20 hours a week whilst studying in the US so many students pick up part time cash work for extras. The cost of living represents that of a student budget within the college campus and everyday goods and items can be purchased at discounted rates at chain stores such as wallmart, international students will most likely find they are able to live substantially better than if they were studying and living out of home in Australia.
MYTH 5#
All Americans love Australian accents
TRUTH
This is true!!! being Australian is a great way to make friends and meet people. Take the time to chat to someone new each day, and you will have more friends than you could ever imagine in no time.
MYTH 6#
In order to get good grades, you’ll have to live in the library
FALSE
It is important to focuses on your grades, but moderation is key. Movies tend to show there is only two ways to go about college, the Nerd and the hardcore party boy/girl. Especially when you are at college to play 
sport and study, you will need to find a balance between study, games, training and your social life, remembering in order to remain on your college team you must maintain a C average.