Thursday 2 am, somewhere in Groningen

Being a student is the best time of your life. At least this is what your parents, American college movies, and even that weird old man that you met on the train recently, tell you all the time. After all, when else does the government give you a loan just to party 5 nights of the week? But while singing along to Asher Roth’s ‘I love College’ for the millionth time in some dingy student bar, the music suddenly fades and you start using your newly acquired critical thinking skills. Standing in the middle of the bar with a hollow gaze, your 9 am lecture tomorrow morning at once feels miles away, and you begin to reflect upon why student life is in fact as great as everyone makes it out to be...  

You meet new people (almost) every day

One of the biggest pro’s of being in university is definitely the fact that you get to know new people nearly every day. Amidst all the parties, sports clubs, student associations and lectures it is almost a given that you will make new friends along the way. The best part of it? You will constantly meet people from different cultural backgrounds and paths of life, with who you’ll be able to discuss and share your commonalities and differences together.

Sleeping in and having a flexible schedule

This is one of my personal favourites of being a student. Sleeping in until 12 pm on a Wednesday? Staying out until 3 am on a Monday? These definitely things only young aspiring academics can afford to do. You’d rather skip that evening lecture and attend an immersive theatre performance? The stage is yours. Enjoy this one as long as it lasts though because you will most likely have to adjust to the harsh reality of having a 9 to 5 work schedule once you graduate.

Low expectations regarding your living standards

The shower keeps leaking, the room door doesn’t close completely and the dishes are piling up again - ‘C’est la vie’ says the average student before moving on with his life. What some may call ‘ignorance’ or ‘laziness’, is seen in a student's eyes as more of a lifestyle choice/enhancement of personal freedom. After all, doing the dishes all the time would totally disrupt any flexible lifestyle. And having a permanently open door simply enhances social interaction within the house, right? Marie Kondo would probably have a nervous breakdown coming into an average student house, but not having to clean is what sparks every student's joy after moving out from Mom and Dad’s. Sorry Marie, you’ll never understand…

You learn something every day

However, the best part of being a student is undoubtedly the fact that you learn something new every day. While students tend to spend most of their time studying in a classroom or in the library, living the student lifestyle is also all about learning those other skills you will need in life. Whether it is learning how to organise events, work in a team or just how to take care of your electricity bill - student life is about learning how to stand on your own feet as an adult, while still being allowed to make some mistakes in the process.

....Your trance-like state ends abruptly when one of your friends accidentally pours half of his drink on you while attempting to floss. The volume of the music turns up again and Wiz Khalifa reminds you of the fact that you are indeed young, wild and free. With a smile on your face, you lose yourself into the night while being grateful for living your best student life.

Do you want to know how the night ends? Read Part 2 of this blog series which discusses the low sides of student life. Coming up tomorrow.