Jayson Flores

Going to college in today's competitive and fast-paced society can feel a lot like taking on the world... the demon world to be specific.

Given the choice between financial aid, maintaining a social life, extra curricular activities and getting a healthy amount of sleep OR fighting vampires, some students would pick up the stake, head over to the cemetery and join Buffy.

The cult classic, which aired its series finale 11 years ago (2003) lives on through its empowering and sometimes haunting messages about life, love and growing up.

In many ways the struggle of a modern-day college student mirrors the emotional and mental journey of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Below are five similarities between the two.

1. You're alone (sort of).

No matter how many friends and allies you have, in the end you must rely on yourself. You're the one that needs to study and work hard, and you're the one that will be walking that stage at graduation. Buffy always had help from her friends. But when the big moments came, it was ultimately her motivation and strength that won the day. In essence, it's okay to ask for help, but never use others as a crutch.

2. Romances are chaotic and crazy.

Clearly there are some exceptions to this, but in general love can be impossible to manage while a person is in college. It has less to do with maturity and the students themselves, and more to do with the fact that college is a time of physical, mental and emotional development. It can be challenging to stay happily committed to someone, because even one semester can mean significant change for a person. College might not make dating as difficult as slaying does, but it's a close second.

3. We're all cookie dough.

When you're in college you are constantly bombarded with questions about what you plan to do with the rest of your life. Buffy frequently faces this question, particularly as it relates to whom she'd ultimately choose as her true love.

Her answer speaks volumes of truth to the college student experience: "I'm cookie dough," she said. "I'm not done baking. I'm not finished becoming whoever the hell it is I'm gonna turn out to be."

This is the perfect response for any college student who wants to say something more creative and spicy than, "I don't know."

4. Bad roommates are basically demons.

Buffy's first college roommate is an abrasive, Cher-blasting, perfectionist who is discovered to be a demon after her soul. Real-world, negative roommate experiences can feel incredibly similar to battling a demon. Despite the comedy, this episode in Buffy's life teaches her first, how to get along with others, and second, that every person (even a best friend) is going to do stuff that annoys us. We just have to be mature and handle it like an adult.

5. There will always be hard times.

Throughout its seven season duration, Buffy the Vampire Slayer manages to challenge each main character to grow in a harsh, unforgiving and brutal world. This is best summed up by the show's iconic quote, "The hardest thing in this world is to live in it. Be brave. Live."

The reality is that there are going to be tough times throughout the college experience. Financial struggles, homesickness, academic difficulties and loneliness just graze the surface of the challenges a college student may face.

However, it's important to not let the darkness define the experience and to continue moving forward, because at the end of the day it's all we can do.



Homonormativity fighter, Buffy lover and Hot Mess Express conductor, Jayson Flores is a contributing writer for USA TODAY College and Philadelphia Magazine's Gay and Lesbian blog G Philly. He is a proud feminist, gaymer, Puerto Rican and warrior for equality. Check him out on Twitter @Jaysonstation.

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