Debunking College Freshman Rumors: Separating Fact from Fiction
Every August, college campuses across the country are flooded with eager freshmen, full of enthusiasm, dorm decorations, and a hint of anxiety about making new friends. Amidst the excitement and uncertainty, a variety of rumors and myths circulate, often amplified by social media and popular culture. This article aims to debunk some common college freshman rumors, providing clarity and dispelling misconceptions to help students navigate their first year with confidence.
The "Freshman 15": Fact or Fiction?
One of the most persistent rumors surrounding college life is the notion of the "Freshman 15," the idea that students inevitably gain 15 pounds during their first year. Despite limited evidence, this folklore persists, with teen magazines publishing numerous articles offering tips to avoid college weight gain.
A 2008 study by Nicole Mihalopoulos from the University of Utah debunked this myth; according to her research, the average college student gains 2.7 pounds in their first year. However, this weight gain does not affect everyone. Fifteen percent of students surveyed lost weight. While these results prove that weight gain is far less significant than many expected, college students do gain 5.5 times more weight than the general population.
A 2011 study showed that the only factor that affected weight gain in college was drinking more than six alcoholic beverages at least four days a month, and even students who engaged in this behavior only gained on average one more pound than their sober peers. Additionally, weight gain often occurs at this age; college freshmen only gained a half pound more than those who did not attend college. In summary, if you stay healthy by eating well and getting enough exercise, you have little to worry about.
Like most myths, the origins are a bit murky. The first time “Freshman 10” - an older but similar term that predates “Freshman 15” - was printed in a Newspaper occurred in 1981 when the New York Times wrote about actress Jodie Foster gaining 10 pounds in her rst year at Yale University. References since then have generally only cited anecdotal evidence, resulting in undue hysteria among college freshmen.
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To stay healthy, current Hockaday seniors who will attend college next have great advice for those looking to stay fit. Twins Mary Claire and Eleanor Wilson both plan on running local marathons with roommates and friends to stay mo- tivated. Other seniors, like Melanie Kerber, hope to join club athletic teams to get their exercise. Just head to the campus gym! A Washington Post survey of 48 colleges showed that these institutions spent $776 million on athletic centers combined.
College Life: Party or Library?
With a whopping 25.2 million undergrads at 7,416 colleges across the country, it's impossible to find two people who have the exact same stories about school. But that doesn't stop the (often contradictory) rumors from flying-college is a constant party; you'll spend all your time in the library. So wait. Hold the phone. What's true and what's not?!
When it comes to college, balance and moderation are key-and that's what school life was designed for. "You can't get off-the-charts grades or have a legendary social life without it taking a toll on other parts of your experience," says Julia Haskins, a senior at Northwestern University. "You have to slow down every once in a while. stats class.
So you had a Thursday night mir, or stayed up re-living the first two seasons of Gossip Girl with your roommate. No one's going to drag you out of bed the next morning, but you still need to show up to class-even if you're clutching a venti quadruple-shot latte. Sure, some professors play it cool and don't take roll, but for the most part, attendance does matter in many freshman-level seminars, and it can be a big factor in your grade. Need a little extra motivation? Calculate how much each lecture costs. Now that's a wake-up call.
Connecting with Professors: Impossible or Achievable?
Another common misconception is that it's difficult to connect with professors, especially in large lecture classes. Professors are eager to connect with students; huge class sizes make teachers completely inaccessible.
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As one of many in a first-year lecture, it can be intimidating to reach out to the professor standing at the front of the room-but that doesn't mean it's impossible. There are a few ways to make it easier, says University of Southern California '13 grad Helen Tobin: "Just talk to them for a minute after class. Ask for further clarification on something they said during lecture, even if you understood him or her perfectly the first time."
A minute of after-class chatting or a visit to office hours goes a long way, says Helen, who points out that good professors welcome student face time. "These small acts build a personal connection that you can call on later for a recommendation letter," she notes. "You're not going to connect with every professor, but it's important to have people who will advocate for you later in school and even beyond college."
Dining Hall Food: Terrible or Trendy?
The stereotype of terrible dining hall food is also outdated. Dining hall food is terrible-unless you're willing to live on pasta.
Thanks to growing demand for fresh, healthy food, the culinary landscapes of campus dining halls have "absolutely changed," says Mary Kennedy, Director of Dining and Bookstore Services at Bowdoin College, a campus recognized for its amazing food.
Bowdoin may boast two acres of gardens for produce and herbs, but going local with food is a national trend. During her visits to campuses across the country, Kennedy has found that "the meal options are really good, because I think a lot of the schools are trying to use more fresh products."
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Greek Life: Toga Parties or Philanthropy?
The perception of Greek life as an endless toga party is another myth. The party scene differs from college to college, but fraternities and sororities are built on other key pillars, like philanthropy and academics, which play a starring role for sisters. "There's a huge philanthropy focus within each house and in the Greek community as a whole," says Grace Hawkins, a University of Michigan '13 grad and Delta Gamma.
And it's a good thing: "We can really make a difference," Grace says. "My sorority has raised thousands of dollars for Service for Sight, and we also get involved on a hands-on scale, working with visually impaired children."
Studies are divided on how sorority involvement impacts GPA compared to girls who are unaffiliated, but most sororities have academic standards to meet. Plus, there will always be a few girls around to study with!
The Dark Side of Virality: A Cautionary Tale
While college life is often portrayed as a time of fun and exploration, it's important to acknowledge the potential dangers of the digital age. The story of Mary Kate Cornett, a University of Mississippi student, serves as a stark reminder of the impact that online rumors and cyberbullying can have on a young person's life.
Cornett became the subject of an internet rumor, amplified by popular ESPN host and analyst Pat McAfee, which she says "ruined" her life. She and her family faced a barrage of harassment and insults after a false rumor about her and her boyfriend's father went viral online. "Having your life ruined by people who have no idea who you are is the worst feeling in the world," Cornett said, while tearing up. "It makes you feel so alone. It's a horrible experience."
The rumor, referenced on “The Pat McAfee Show,” quickly spread across social media platforms, leading to Cornett's name trending on X with "hundreds and hundreds" of posts falsely identifying her as the person at the center of the rumor. After McAfee’s show, others, including two personalities affiliated with Barstool Sports, referenced the rumor online.
The circulation of the rumor led to severe consequences for Cornett. She said her number was shared online and that she was overwhelmed with “thousands” of calls and texts, with some telling her she “deserved to die.” She said she could barely leave her dorm room and had to switch to online classes. Police even showed up to Cornett’s mother’s home in Houston, she said, with guns drawn in what she described as an apparent “swatting” incident.
Cornett denounced people who talked about her online, suggesting they did so for clout. “I want these famous people to know that I was not famous before this,” she said. “ … I am a normal 19-year-old college freshman. That’s it. I was happy. I had a great friend group.” “I’m not a public figure that you can go talk about on your show to get more views,” she added.
Her father, Justin Cornett, expressed his concern, saying that as a parent he was “worried” that his daughter “wouldn’t recover.” “The people that did this to her and her boyfriend and his dad deserve what they have coming to them,” he said. He emphasized the responsibility that comes with having a platform, stating, “When you have a microphone and you have a platform, you have a responsibility to take on that role with the respect of the people you report on being paramount. If this were to happen to him, his daughter, his wife, someone he loves, he sure wouldn’t like it. When you have a microphone, you have a responsibility and it needs to be taken seriously.”
Cornett intends to take legal action against McAfee and ESPN, and potentially others who, she said, helped spread the rumor. Her attorney, Monica Uddin, believes what happened to her client is cyberbullying and grounds for a defamation case. “Defamation has existed for a long time. You can’t lie about someone with impunity - and that’s what has happened to Mary Kate,” she said. “You can’t lie for money.”
Cornett’s experience serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of online rumors and the importance of responsible social media behavior. It highlights the devastating impact that false information can have on individuals and the need for accountability in the digital age. "If this happened to me, this could happen to anyone," she said.
Navigating College: A Guide to Success
Starting college can be intimidating. Here are some general guidelines for making the transition:
- College is more difficult than high school.
- Take an associate degree as you work toward your bachelor’s degree.
- Talk to your guidance counselor to help you decide, sooner rather than later.
- Be aware of courses that have to be taken in a specific order.
- Not completing your freshman year can mean that it takes you longer to complete your degree.
- Choose your major.
- Consider grants and loans.
- October 1* is the first day you can file the FAFSA.
- File the FAFSA as soon as possible. *For 2024-2025, the FAFSA became available in late December 2023.
- Maintain a GPA of at least 2.85.
- Fulfill education requirements.
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