In Episode 100 of the Good Scribes Only Podcast, hosts Daniel Breyer and Jeremy Streich reflect on how college is portrayed in fiction versus how it plays out in real life. Using Normal People as a jumping-off point, they discuss whether books and movies exaggerate the university experience, the social realities of college, and how expectations evolve once students arrive on campus.
Through humor, personal anecdotes, and some sharp observations about Irish identity (and drinking habits), they break down the myths, realities, and emotional complexities of college life.
Many novels depict college as a transformative, high-stakes experience where friendships are forged, romances bloom, and intellectual debates happen over coffee. Some books embrace the chaotic party scene, while others, like Normal People, focus on the deep emotional growth that happens in young adulthood.
But how much of this is real? The hosts compare their own college years to what’s typically depicted in literature.
“People expect college to be this nonstop, exhilarating experience where you’re discussing philosophy over beers at midnight,” Daniel says. “In reality, it’s a lot of studying, eating in the dining hall, and maybe going to the occasional party.”
Jeremy agrees, adding that while campus life has its moments, most students aren’t experiencing profound existential awakenings daily.
Books often portray university as a time of grand realizations, deep friendships, and intellectual awakenings. While these things do happen, much of the college experience is more mundane.
“I thought it would be all-night debates on free will,” Daniel jokes. “Instead, it was beer pong and Rick and Morty.”
The contrast between expectation and reality can leave students feeling like they’re missing out—when in truth, everyone is figuring things out at their own pace.
Fictional college friendships are often instant and unbreakable. But in reality, it takes time to find the right group of people. Both Daniel and Jeremy discuss how their friend groups shifted throughout their college years.
Jeremy, who transferred schools, reflects on how making connections was harder than expected:
“I thought I’d immediately find a core friend group, but it took a lot longer than I anticipated. The transition was messy.”
Meanwhile, Daniel found that the people he expected to connect with—intellectual types engaged in constant discussion—weren’t the ones he ultimately gravitated toward.
“I realized I didn’t want to be around people trying to prove how smart they were all the time. I just wanted to hang out with people I actually liked.”
College is often portrayed as a time when students are supposed to experiment, party, and live life to the fullest. But that pressure can be overwhelming, especially for those who don’t fit that mold.
“You have this idea that college is the time to experience everything life has to offer,” Daniel says. “But for most people, life just kind of… continues.”
Jeremy adds that study abroad was what truly changed his perspective. Living in a different country fundamentally shifted his confidence and outlook—more than anything that happened on campus.
The way college is portrayed in books and films shapes how people approach the experience. Some arrive on campus expecting it to be the best time of their lives, while others fear they won’t fit in. In reality, college is different for everyone—some find lifelong friendships, while others don’t connect until after graduation.
Jeremy sums it up:
“College isn’t one-size-fits-all. It’s a mix of highs, lows, and a lot of in-between moments.”
For more insights and personal reflections on the college experience, tune in to Episode 100 of the Good Scribes Only Podcast.
