I graduated university in 2015, which feels like an entire lifetime ago, but really it’s only been four years. During the past four years, I’ve reminisced quite a lot about what life used to be like when I was a little college student. Don’t get me wrong, my current-day post-college life is beyond amazing – I’m at the most stable point in my life now more than ever, one that I could only have dreamt about while still in college. But sometimes, when my mind flickers back to those carefree campus days, I can’t help but think about how simple life was then compared to now. It’s crazy! We all know adulting is hard. But we don’t really know it until we’re right in the thick of it. So, in an attempt to indulge my nostalgia, here are six things I wish I had known when I was a college student.
1. Get as involved as possible
This is an obvious one right? The one they tell you on every college campus tour. Well it’s the truest piece of advice I’ve ever received. And though I was involved in some clubs and associations, if I could do it all over again, I would have joined more! While in college you have the luxury of living by your own schedule (instead of the 9 to 5 schedule – ugh!), so why not try your hand at everything you have available to you before it’s gone?
2. What I actually wanted to major in
I feel like this is a common one for a lot of college freshmen. Personally, I had a vague idea of what I wanted to do, but when it came down to actually putting it on paper, I wasn’t so sure. I started out majoring in journalism and by the time I was a sophomore, I completely changed gears to a major in advertising with a minor in public relations. It wasn’t until a study abroad opportunity in London came on my radar that I really started getting my act together. Once I had a solid goal (get to London) and solid tactics to achieve said goal (ace all of my classes and choose an internship I was passionate about), I was able to see the light at the end of the tunnel and realized that pursuing the PR program was the right path for me. For some it may take a year or two to really understand your higher education calling, and that’s okay! Just keep trying things until you find what drives you.
3. Grades are important, but so is your well being
I was a good student – not summa cum laude but still – I passed all of my classes and even won a few scholarships and recognition awards in the process. *humble brag* But this was an arduous process that took hard work. In hindsight, I’m actually really proud of myself for accomplishing what I did, but it also wouldn’t have hurt to take a night off every now and then. If you can afford to, make sure your social life flourishes just as much as your academic life does.
4. You’re not going to get along with everybody, and that’s okay
Plain and simple. University is huge, meaning there are all kinds of different people with different personalities, different upbringings and different values. People even change throughout the course of their time at school. So don’t stay in a friend group if you’re not comfortable or happy. Just be unapologetically yourself and the right people will gravitate towards you. I wish I had figured that out earlier!
5. How to do taxes (seriously)
Not understanding how this worked when I got to my big girl job really screwed me over when my first adult tax day came. You can argue that it’s my fault for not doing my research and making a mistake on my W2 (did you even know what this was when you were in college?!), HOWEVER, I would argue that I should have been properly prepped. In fact, why not start even earlier like in high school to begin learning about taxes? Some schools may offer programs like this now, which would actually be so great.
6. This isn’t the real world yet… so enjoy yourself!
It genuinely wasn’t until I graduated that I realized this. So if there’s one thing I hope you take away from this post (thank you so much for reading, if you are) it’s that life is short and college doesn’t last forever, so enjoy it while it’s actually happening to you. It’ll make post-college life so much sweeter.
What are some of the things you’re most excited to experience while in college? And if you’ve already been, what are some of your favorite college memories?
Xo
Jess
