Expectation vs. Reality

College Edition

by Olivia Cappolella

There are many expectations you have going into college, especially as a first-gen college student, like myself. A lot of college is not what you'd expect though. Here are a few of my expectations versus reality circumstances that I've noticed.

1. A lot of people worry about gaining the freshman fifteen when going into college, but in reality, a lot of students are too broke to eat anything besides ramen noodles and the dining hall food is so bad you'd rather starve. The only weight any college students are gaining is from beer, which is kind of nasty. 

2. Going into classes, you expect your professors to never cancel class. Well, last week, one of my professors cancelled class because he didn't want to scrape ice off of his car and another cancelled because he didn't want to catch the flu from all the sick students.

3. Sylly-week is a thing, right? No, it's not. Now that I am in my forth semester as a college student, I know that sylly-week does not actually exist. Once classes start, they're in full swing. Don't expect to party every night the first week of school.

4. It's expected that college schedules are easier than high school schedules. Well, just because you push your first class back to noon doesn't mean you get extra time to sleep. The later you push your classes back, the later you're awake doing homework. Honestly, it's easier to start the day early.

5. You're going to expect to miss your friends from home more than anything, but once you find your group, you won't. When you go home, it'll still feel like you saw them just a bit ago. In no time, you'll be closer to your college friends than you ever were with your friends from home. 

Favorite Homemade Macaroni and Cheese

Recipe

by Olivia Cappolella

Are you looking for a great homemade macaroni and cheese? I have a great recipe for you. If you're interested in crunchy and gooey mac and cheese, this is the one for you. 

This recipe serves about six to eight people, but if you love macaroni and cheese as much as I do, you may end up fighting to get a bowl full. I am practically a macaroni and cheese connoisseur, so I've had a lot of it in my life time, so for me to say my recipe is one of my favorites, it proves a great deal. As a broke nineteen year old girl, like every other college student, this is only something my roommates and I pull out for special occasions, but it's always the biggest hit. Using store brand products makes the recipe much more affordable and it is still just as great, so if you're ever craving that comfort food that we all love, I highly suggest this. 

Ingredients:

16 oz elbow pasta                                                    salt and pepper

6 tbsp salted butter                                                2 cups seasoned bread crumbs

1/3 cup all purpose flour                                       1 cup grated parmesan cheese

2 1/2 cups whole milk                                            2 tbsp smoke paprika

1 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream                         2 tbsp crushed red pepper flakes

8 oz shredded sharp cheddar cheese                  1/4 tsp garlic salt

8 oz shredded Mexican blend cheese                 1 tbsp chives (optional) 

8 oz shredded colby jack cheese 

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 400F and lightly grease a baking dish. 

2. Boil the pasta, drain it and pour it into the greased baking dish.

3. Create a rue in the sauce pan (or small pot) by melting butter and slowly whisking in flour.

4. Gradually whisk in the milk, and then the heavy whipping cream until it starts to slightly boil.

5. Add in preferred amount of salt and pepper.

6. Whisk in first bag of cheese until smooth and then do the same with the other two until smooth. 

7. Add in another pinch salt and pepper (optional)

8. Pour cheese on top of the cooled and cooked macaroni, and mix it around until fully covered.

9. In a bowl, mix bread crumbs, parmesan, garlic salt, paprika, pepper and red pepper flakes to create topping.

10. Fully cover the top of the macaroni with the bread crumb mixture. 

11. Put the dish in the over for 30-35 minutes or until golden/brown topping. 

12. Garnish with chives (optional).

13. Let cool for about three to five minutes and serve.