It’s Oscars time, and “spring” semester has just begun. There’s nothing quite like a movie quote to capture the bizarreness of college life (including the fact that spring semester takes place in the winter). From those first few weeks of freshman year when a whole new reality has overwhelmed you through graduation day when fear of the future is at the forefront of your mind, the movies have been able to boil down the emotions and experiences to the simple truth.
Freshman Year: You’ve Got a Lot to Learn
“Toto, I’ve a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore.”—Wizard of Oz
How it feels when you arrive in an overcrowded parking lot outside of what is soon to become your new home with your parents’ car crammed with new dorm room accessories. It’s a whole new world, packed full of wide-eyed 18-year-olds instead of Munchkins.
“Rule #3: Beware of Bathrooms.”—Zombieland
What you learn that very first weekend. You’ll never go to the bathroom without flip flops again.
“My name is Dug. I have just met you, and I love you.”—Up
How friends you made 10 minutes ago feel in college. You bond out of pure necessity.
“There’s no place like home.”—Wizard of Oz
Even if you were over-the-moon excited about coming to college and leaving home, homesickness will creep in eventually. Just remember it’s okay to call your mom multiple times a day.
Sophomore Year: Starting to Get the Hang of Things
“Why so serious?”—Dark Knight
The homework gets harder, the study nights get longer, but don’t forget to have fun.
“Wax on. Wax off.”—The Karate Kid
Sometimes, at 2 a.m., when you’re still up studying for the chemistry exam, you come up with some pretty weird ways of studying.
“My philosophy is if you worry, you suffer twice.”—Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
Sometimes people will do the strangest things, and sometimes they’ll ask you to join them, and you’ll want to, but it’s a risk and you’ll worry—try not to.
“Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in awhile, you could miss it.”—Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
In how long it feels, freshman year is equivalent to sophomore, junior, and senior year combined.
Junior Year: The Hardest Year Is Upon Us
“Houston, we have a problem.”—Apollo 13
How it feels after the first week of a 21 -credit semester when you realize there will no longer be time for breathing.
“Right now, my life is a mess.”—Easy A
After a month into the 21-credit semester.
“You’re braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.”—Winnie the Pooh
Freshman year, people decorate their rooms with photos of friends from high school. Sophomore year, you add the poster of a rock band or frame of your mom whom you’ve begun to miss. Junior year has truly arrived when you start writing out inspirational quotes on an index card and tape it to your mirror.
“When life gets you down, you know what you need to do? Just keep swimming.”—Finding Nemo
No matter how tough it gets, how much work you have, how many friends you get into fights with, and how much sleep you lose, never forget Dory.
Senior Year: Almost Done
“Carpe diem. Seize the day, boys. Make your lives extraordinary.”—Dead Poets Society
Just one year left to cross everything off that college bucket list.
“Show me the money!”—Jerry Maguire
When every English and history major begins thinking they should have gone into business.
“My mama always said life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.”—Forrest Gump
Thinking back over the past four years and realizing you never would have predicted where you are and who you are today.
“To infinity and beyond!”—Toy Story
On graduation day—before the panic about the real world truly sets in.
Super Senior: Surprise, You’re Back!
“Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in.”—The Godfather: Part III
When you switched your major one too many times.
Lucie Voves
Lucie Voves is the Founder and CEO of Church Hill Classics/diplomaframe.com, a certified woman-owned business and 12-time Inc. 5000 Award Honoree.
