(written by Kendra, STAR blogger)

(Joe College Note:  We are pleased to introduce Kendra’s Khronicles, our latest Joe College feature!)

What is the "real world" anyway? Well, for me, my entire high school career felt like it was based on becoming an adult who is educated and socially ready for the real world or, in other words, college. But now college seems like it’s just one stepping stone closer to the real world than high school is. You see, the "real world" isn't full of classes during the day and library study sessions at night; it isn't living in dorm rooms and sharing showers with a bunch of other people; it isn't partying until the sun comes up or paying one fixed cost to eat as much food as you possibly can during your unlimited allowance of trips to the dining hall(s). Ironically, though, I used to think it was.

The difference between high school and college is your perception of the world. If you're a high school student you're probably dreading the idea of entering the "real world" without the comfort of familiar faces and surroundings to put your mind at ease. And if you're already in college you're probably thinking that living on a campus isn't exactly what you'd call the "real world"; it's simply preparation for the real "real world". Think about it! Pre-school prepares you for elementary school, which prepares you for middle school, then high school, then college and/or grad school and, yes, finally, the real world! But there are definitely some similarities and that’s what it is all about!

College is about making the transition from relying on others to relying on ourselves. We have to worry about finances and relationships, managing our time and making sure all of our assignments are in on-time, and keeping our minds and our bodies active and healthy during our many sleepless nights. Trying to balance all of those things can be very difficult and stressful, but that’s why we go to college. We get to be kids while we take classes and learn how to be adults. And it is in the midst of those years that we make the transition from being teens to adults; from having part-time jobs to full-time careers.

So, to be completely honest, the "real world" is and will be whatever we want it to be. The real world is different for everyone, it just depends on your perception of the world and what makes it real for you. For me, the real world will be when I get a masters degree and become a full-time English Teacher in a high school. For someone else it might mean graduating high school and finding a full-time job. At the end of the day, though, life is what we make of it and it truly becomes real when we stop living our pasts as kids and start living in the present as adults.
 
Until next time,
Kendra