Are people in college nicer than people in high school?

I think it is because college represents a new environment where people from all over are thrown together. There are no established hierarchies or cliques.

Many times, people in college are there because their parents want them to go there, or because it’s just what people from their social/economic class, or their aspired-to class, are “supposed” to do. I just got out of college recently, and teach college students now, and I do not think that you can count on college students to necessarily be mature or kind. The statistical likelihood might be higher, however.

High School is purgatory for most of the people there. Most people in college want to be there over what ever the alternative would be. So when people have choice, they are generally more pleasant than if they are placed somewhere for a multi-year holding period.

I had to look up this little parable online…

Your post reminds me of a story. A local man was walking along the beach when a couple stopped to speak with him. They asked, “We’re from out of town. How are the people here?” The man replied, “Well, how are the people where you come from?” The couple said, “They’re really nice!” The man said, “I think you’ll find people to be the same way around here.”

Later, the man was stopped by another couple who asked how the local people were. “How are they where you come from?” asked the man. “Oh, they’re a bunch of idiots, complete morons!” replied the couple. The man said, “Well, I think you’ll find people to be the same way around here.”

I don’t know about anyone else, but the way I looked at other classmates changed when I went to college. In high school, we had all the cliques and the drama and it was hard to stay out if it without being a recluse and eating lunch in the bathroom. In college, I couldn’t care less about making friends. Most people walk to class and even eat alone, for many reasons, so there’s no pressure to ascribe to a particular clique. I go to class to do well and eventually get my degree. I’m not there to make friends. My priorities have changed.

I’d imagine it’s different for those living on campus or those belonging to frats or sororities; two things I’d never do. In general, though, I think college students are kinder to each other than high schoolers, but there are still plenty of immature little assholes walking around.

Even a small college tends to be larger than a large high school. There are also more specializations in curriculum in college. So you’re likely going to be in more classes with people you have things in common with. That’s mostly a good thing. If you were a band geek and became a music major – you’re likely going to be almost completely surrounded by other musical people by junior year.

Hmmm nicer? I don’t think it makes much of a difference really. No one just becomes nicer, people are nice to you if your nice to them no matter what stage in life your in…of course some people are just unkind and immature and sometimes you’ll go to uni with them.

Sure we all have a goal…maybe… but from what I experienced – some people just dont grow up.

I went to a private high school and uni and I found the exact same type of people. I have come to the realization that though I was going to a uni with kids from all over the world – they all came from the same social status that made them behave and act exactly the same… Spoiled, arrogant, ignorant and selfish.

So no, I dont necessarily believe people are nicer or more mature. In fact college is a place where they are beginning to discover themselves and sometimes you’ll be amazed to what people can’t do on their own :)

Deep down? No. Outward behavior? Somewhat, at least when they’re sober.