Fun Fact: Parents aren’t always right.

Un-Fun Fact: We should still listen to them …

As college students, we are all (begrudgingly) managing the transition from childhood to adulthood. It’s time to substitute out juice boxes for cocktails, playdates for meetings and 8pm bed times for all-nighters. We spent our mischievous younger years oscillating between respecting and neglecting our parents’ advice but, in order to succeed as “adults”, we must take our parents’ advice with a grain of salt and choose for ourselves: should I still listen to my parents’ advice in college? 

Parental Advice #1: Don’t talk to strangers.

In college, this piece of advice turns from a harmless safety tip to social suicide. College is the time to spark a conversation with tons of complete strangers because otherwise you’re doomed to a life alone with one-too many cats. Meow.

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Parental Advice #2: Sharing is caring.

Have you heard of a little something I like to call mono? Beware, don’t share – especially if it’s a red Solo Cup.

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Parental Advice #3: Always use the buddy system.

In college, the safety mantra goes: never walk home alone. This is still valid: two is always better than one.

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Parental Advice #4: Do your homework.

Or don’t … and say you did!

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Parental Advice #5: Keep your hands to yourself.

College parties and 18+ clubs can get more handsy than a four-year-old at the Please Touch Museum. But please, respect others’ space. Hands where we can see ’em.

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Parental Advice #6: Ask anyway – there’s no such thing as a stupid question.

Don’t be afraid to ask a question in class, other people might also be confused. But do make sure you’re asking because you didn’t understand the teacher’s explanation, not because you weren’t paying attention. If that’s the case, just ask your friend Google or wait for office hours.

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Parental Advice #7: Manners matter. 

Amen. Can I get a please and thank you for holding that super heavy Lau door open for you?

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Parental Advice #8: You have to finish your dinner before you have dessert.

False,  dessert isn’t a “reward” for eating a balanced meal; it’s one of the major college food groups and something Leo’s consistently gets right.

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The examples above demonstrate that our parents’ advice can become antiquated as we get older but, in some other cases, their advice holds more true now than ever before. It’s up to us to choose whether or not to live according to our parents’ old advice. We may not be kids anymore, but we are still kids at heart. Which is why I have this gif of a cat for you to look at:

Photos: Cool Images, Mashable, WordPress