The real world.
Not the television show on MTV, but a phrase used as an excuse to delay responsibility until after graduation.
This phrase should stop being used.
We're already living in the real world.
College campuses, especially Auburn, are their own small-town bubbles.
Auburn feels like a bubble because sometimes it feels like we are living in a place where it is easier to disregard responsibilies, such as paying bills becuase our parents take care of that for us.
Those of us who are fortunate enough to not have to worry about bills, tuition and other expenses sometimes fall into the habit of using the phrase, "Until I get into the real world, I won't have to worry about that."
It echoes throughout campus.
Many people who say this don't realize that making mistakes while living in the Auburn bubble still has consequences.
Failing classes will reflect poorly on your GPA, which could lead to trouble finding a job after graduation.
Drinking and driving home one night, even if you live one minute away from the bars, could result in a life changing prison sentence.
The decisions we make now will affect us the rest of our lives.
Using that phrase as an excuse to not build your resume or learn how to pay bills lacks common sense.
However, we are not condemning those who haven't had to pay bills yet or like to go downtown on the weekends.
That's their prerogative, but using the excuse you're in college and not the real world yet to explain not spending time wisely is irresponsible.
Using this sentence is a form of procrastination.
We've all procrastinated, but when it comes to our future, there's no time to slack off.
Everything we do can lead you to bigger and better opportunites if you make the effort.
People also use this phrase as a safety net.
You can't put pressure on your parents to entirely support you through graduation.
We need to have some initative to be self-sustaining as much as you can, so you will be prepared to live on your own after school is over.
We've all muttered some form of the sentence, "I don't have to deal with it until I'm in the real world."
The idea that some of you won't have to deal with certain things until after graduation is correct, but claiming the world we're living in now is not the real world is wrong.
This excuse is holding us back.
If we stop using this phrase, it can make us more aware of the world around us.
We're not kids anymore.
We're adults.
Adults manage their time and are accountable.
Life has already started.
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