Advice on how to act more like a college freshmen?

Question

So ive been working as an asst. manager at a retail job and am working in accounting at another job by the time all at 17...to get my dream job i need my degree of course and i didnt do so well in high school. I recently started college and i just dont think im doing it right....im mainly here to get my degree and study/learn work hard since i did pay for the whole thing myself i dont want to waste my $. Ive made a ton of friends and hang out between classes and such but i still work on friday night5-1030 sat 8-730 and sun 11-830 and then drive 2 hours back to school...my prob. is that im like too old it feels like, like i already partied in high school and got tht whole rebelious thing out and now i just want to learn and if i make friends great but i just want to get my degree and get good grades but my roommate keeps pointing out "you go to bed so early" and makes me feel like im a loser for not going out more...but all i can think of is we have to get up tomorro and i dont wunna be tired for class....which is so lame for a 17yr old too be thinking...all responsible and c**p...my bf keeps telling me i grew up way too fast and need to have fun but idk what too do...i wanted to college experience but now that im here i just have no interest in running around drunk with underwear over my head hooking up with randoms....any one have any advice...cause i have friends here but i feel like im the only one here who has plans for my life and is actually working for something.....

Answer 1

It sounds like you have your priorities straight, especially if you're paying your own way through school. Some people do tend to treat college as one gigantic excuse to party, especially when they first get there, and your roommate may still be in that zone. She'll probably realize that you do need to buckle down, can't go out every night-- and if she doesn't you might tell her respectfully that 1) you work 2) you take your education seriously, and that you can't afford to be a massive party animal or simply don't want to. Frankly if your roommate doesn't respect this I wouldn't put too much stock in her opinions.

Answer 2

I have been a college student. I am now a college instructor. I did very well in school, and I went on to get my M.A. in English. I understand working hard (I held down several jobs while in school). But it sounds to me like you might be leaning a little too far the other way.

Life is not all about making money, climbing a ladder towards a job, and then retiring with a good pension. People who think like this are boring and have never really let go in life to find out what things are all about. Let me guess..you only take classes that are required or related to your major/career? How about branching out, trying something new, doing something to improve yourself as a human being? For some, this includes partying. You can have fun, let loose, lose a little control, and still be a perfectly functional human being.

Do you love what you do? Do you enjoy work? Classes? Or are you just going through the motions, making your way through the life that you have decided is acceptable? College is a time to explore. No one has all the answers at 17--not even you. So let lose a bit more, and everything will be fine.  

Answer 3

The majority of your college freshmen are not there to really learn, but are there to hookup randomly and party and what not.

However, you dont need to act like such a stiff. I understand that you have to keep paying your way and all that. Have you tried getting a job around where you go to school so you can try to work during the week with school to have your weekends more freed? You have your entire life to work and worry, but college is one of the most free points in your life, dont forget that. You can surely find a balance between suceeding in everything you want but also having fun at the same time. Maybe not running down the hall with drawers on your head while your latest man strolls out of your room undetected, but at least going to a keggar and laughing at the frosh that cant control themselves. :-)

Good luck in all you do. :-)