Forget any accusations that higher ed institutions are behind the times.

MTV’s new reality show, College Life, focuses on four college freshmen at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

But … wait. Did we say reality show? The folks at MTV might disagree.

Viewers are informed at the start of the show: “They shoot their own stories. This is not ‘reality.’ This is real.“

The difference apparently – between “reality” and “real” – is who holds the camera.

In College Life, students are given hand-held camcorders to document the college experience.

And there are no surprises on that front. There’s a lot of drinking, dating, drinking, preparing for classes, getting busted for drinking, partying … and drinking.

If you can handle the wobbly camera work (and if you don’t mind having your ideals dashed), check out the show at MTV.com – click shows, then College Life.

And if you pop open a beer while watching, you’ll feel right at home.

Tags: College Life, MTV, reality show