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It might look like high school and college life are separated by only a few, short, glorious summer months, but the reality is very different. The two are worlds apart! There are so many valuable life lessons that you learn almost immediately after going through the college gates that it’s remarkable. Obvious life hacks that you would never have even considered back in school.

Because both autumn and the brand new school year are upon us, here is a list of the unexpected things that people might not teach you in high school but that you learn almost instantly as a college kid. Scroll down and upvotes your favorite life tips, and write us a comment about which college rules you enjoyed the most and why. After you’re done reading this article, have a look at Bored Panda’s fun lists about all the hilarious posts about college life choices that will make you laugh, then cry, and the times broke college students proved they’re the smartest people ever.

(h/t Buzzfeed)

People start college and university at very different times each year: some of you are already busy studying (or partying, or both), while others will start in the next few weeks. Either way, there’s some common sense advice that freshmen need to hear.

Kelly Corrigan writes in The New York Times that it’s important to know how to cook nutritious food and to have a basic working knowledge about money and saving before starting your studies.

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Daria B
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

One has authority until the moment when they're forced to apply it. (Corto Maltese)

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Molly Universe
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There's literally a rule in my high school that teachers may not express political opinions. Nobody cares, though, and they do it anyway. #ExposeKidsToPolitics

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Corrigan also adds that basic things like keeping your dorm room door open and saying ‘hi’ to people around campus can work wonders for your social life. What’s more, you should never be pressured into drinking if you don’t want to — playing tabletop games with a few close friends is a perfectly fine way to spend your Friday night.

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tuzdayschild
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No, don't. Life will smack her upside the head. There's no need for you to do it too.

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Kjorn
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

i Always do that. i do all the easy ones. come back for the rest after

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But let’s not forget what college is really about — exercising your brain and growing as a person. So be sure to put in the effort during lectures and seminars: sit in front; participate; ask questions; meet with your professors; do the work; put in the effort.

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Chris
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Mate, wait until you get to 40 and have a life, a job, and children to deal with... at which point your body starts falling to pieces for no reason :)

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But remember, there are some things that no one can tell you and that you’ll have to find out for yourself. Dear Pandas, how has your college experience been so far? What awesome, funny, and unexpected lessons did you learn there?

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Molly Universe
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't dress up much, so when I do I get the reaction of "Why are you all dressed up?" Because I want to be!

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queen...<3
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My teachers do this to me in high school lmao. They are always talking about email etiquette, and they don't use it half the time but get mad if we don't.

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Missetho
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

well, if there is only one likely answer it is not really a MULTIPLE CHOICE exam is it? ;-D Consider yourself lucky already, in Europe, college exams are redactions and you have to write a full essay on a topic for exams...fewer chances to grab points out of luck!

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Foxxy
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Self care is very important. I often give my daughter one day a term a day off and call it a mental health day. As someone who suffers severe depression, I know the importance of looking after ones wellbeing.

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CrunChewy McSandybutt
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I remember when they kept telling us that we won't carry calculators around with us in the real world. * holds up smartphone

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April Simnel
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

College in the UK=sixth form, to take A levels and uni entrance exams, right? The US doesn't have that. The closest thing to it is in New York State and is called the Regents' Exam. Otherwise, you just pass all your classes, pass those classes' final exams, get a diploma and go by age 17-18. No O-levels here. No gap years here (maybe the very rich teens do that, but it's not at all common). IF you want a uni degree, you take the SAT or the ACT during your senior year of high school (these are more comprehensive than A- or O-levels), and supposedly unis look at that score along with your grades and participation in school teams and community service. "College" in the US is synonymous with uni, usually starts at age 18, after high school, and usually lasts until age 21, when one gets a Bachelor of Arts or Science (e.g. "I have a BA in History"). Then one can go on to graduate school for a Masters or a professional degree, like for law or medicine, and then on to a PhD if one wishes.

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Kaisu
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

True, when I started uni I cared so much about grades, but now I've come to realise that grades aren't everything

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Kaisu
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't remember the last time I would've gone to bed before midnight

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Foxxy
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4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is why Australian holidays are so much better. We have 4 terms of school. School usually starts mid to late January (depending on state) each term is approx 10 weeks and after each of the first 3 terms there is 2 weeks of holidays. Then after the fourth term there is 6 weeks of holidays from early to mid December to mid to late January. (Again depends on state, some states have a week difference).

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Diego Cabrerizo
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In Brazil we have to take all the classes in the course. We can't chose what to take, even if we hate it, or if it has no relevance. Sad.

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Casey C
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Migos should have been option A, quite the missed opportunity there.

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Daria B
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If... we're... taaaalkiiiing about... love.... Then I have to tell you... Deeeeeear readeeeeeers.... ♬♪

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Note: this post originally had 48 images. It’s been shortened to the top 40 images based on user votes.

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