What do you think of when you hear that something is a stereotype? Usually, I'd easily assume you have a similar reaction to mine. Stereotypes are bad, or wrong, or misleading. Stereotypes tell us that all women belong in the kitchen or all black people are "gangstas" and the like. Especially if you've spent any amount of time on this site, you'd see some stereotypes aren't quite so bad. I'll go through my typical day as a college student to give you a few examples. I wake up, turn off my alarm clock, and collapse back on bed. (stereotype: all college students want to sleep in) I go to class. If it's an early class, and I'm exceptionally tired still, I'll think about getting a coffee or other caffinated drink after class. (stereotype: all college students drink coffee). After class if I have time, I'll eat breakfast and then log on to Progressive U to get a few comments in. I know I need a scholarship or two badly. (stereotype: college students are poor and can't easily afford schooling). I go to other classes, but any homework or studying I do is limited. (stereotype broken: all students study all the time just to get by). If it's a certain night, I may go to the coffeeshop to see a comedian or musician perform. (stereotype broken: All that college students do for fun is drink and party). I don't party. I don't drink. I don't smoke. I don't have a boyfriend. I don't spend hours a day talking on the phone or using the IM. (many stereotypes broken here). That's my average day, and for the most part it's quite typical. However, I try to be different than the populace by being a little bit more responsible when it comes to attending classes. I pay attention and take notes. I have to schedule extra time out of class to meet with project partner. I may not study much, but I retain most of the info anyway. I never got into smoking (I can't even be around cigarrette smoke without gagging) and I've seen a few alcoholics in my life, and that turns me way off on the idea of drinking. I also do a lot of extra work in my free time. I'm considering taking Internet classes next semester to make up for classes that won't be available at my school anymore. I work on writing projects with the hopes that someday I'll be published. I have hobbies. However, I see a ton of college students--and I mean a TON--that are pretty much the same. They drink all the time. They party all the time. They don't care about their classes. They represent the ever-popular assumption that college is one big party and you're all invited to drink. The stereotypes of sleeping in and coffee drinking don't hurt any, so I don't see a problem with them just yet. (But remember folks that popular quote about moderation in everything). So, some stereotypes can be good, bad or neutral. Sheesh. As if we needed more gray areas in life!