Graduation season is wrapping up and all the grad pics and diploma ceremony videos have me thinking about how fast this past year after my own college graduation has flown by. Honestly speaking, my graduation came at the perfect timing because I could not have been more ready to be done with undergrad once and for all. I really could go on and on about all the things I do not miss about college but writing about that would just undermine the fact that college is an amazing opportunity that not many people have the chance to pursue. There are plenty of obvious parts about college that I miss like my friends, life on the yard as a member of a NPHC sorority, and the chance to sleep in on most days, but I tried a curate this list with what I didn’t necessarily expect to miss.
Spontaneity
“Hey a couple of us were thinking of (insert fun activity here) today in case anyone else is down.” That’s honestly all it took to have the most fun and memorable day with your closest friends. One of my fondest college memories was hanging with three other friends for the WHOLE entire day without even planning it. I can’t remember the specific order we had gone in but we went from randomly meeting up at an on campus event, to chilling in one of our dorm rooms, to walking about a mile just to get some ice cream from a popular shop in Cambridge, to taking some pics at a cool graffiti wall we stumbled upon, and finally to an event off campus at MIT. Of course I can still see college friends but now if we wanted something similar to happen, we’d have to work out dates, flights, airbnb’s and so much more months ahead of time. Then you have to take into account that almost every minute of these reunion get togethers are planned for so there’s really little to no room for spontaneous and organic fun. That’s just what happens when you’re spread out across the country or even world.
Of course I can still see college friends but now if we wanted something similar to happen, we’d have to work out dates, flights, airbnb’s and so much more.
Oreo Milkshakes from Dunster Grille
Ok so this one may be specific to Harvard but I’d be lying through my keyboard if I didn’t put this somewhere on my list. Even if it wasn’t called Dunster Grille for you, we all have that late night spot on campus with the world’s unhealthiest fried foods that hit the spot when you’re up at 2am trying to crank out a paper that you should have started days ago. Post grad life brings on a series of a lit brunch day parties, fancy birthday dinners, after work happy hours and more of the like, which definitely put a dent in your wallet if you’re not disciplined. Yes, every once in a while I could opt for a chill night in with some late-night-grill-esque junk food– but a $3.00 milkshake just steps away from my dorm will always beat a $5.50 (plus delivery fee) one from Shake Shack via Uber Eats. Maybe I’m being dramatic or maybe it’s just plain old nostalgia talking.
“Free” Gyms
Technically these gyms weren’t free because #tuition but that still doesn’t take away from all the amazing resources campus gyms often have to offer. But let’s be real, between classes, assignments, extracurriculars, a social life and SLEEP, it may be hard for the average college student to have a regular gym schedule. I for one wasn’t able to get serious about my fitness and health until several months after I graduated. As someone who pays an way more than I want to on crowded gyms and packed Soul Cycle classes, I definitely wish I took advantage of the empty weight rooms and studios (if I was lucky). And even if your local gym membership fees bearable, “local” could really mean somewhat of a commute for someone who doesn’t live near a gym or have one at their job.
When you’re drowning responsibilities in the papers, exams and group projects that come along with courses it’s hard to immediately appreciate those deep intellectual discussions that challenge your way of thinking.
“I’d Like to Push Back on That”
This one may expose the slight (read: considerable) nerd in me but every now and then I have a strong craving for some good ole’ academic discussion. When you’re drowning responsibilities in the papers, exams and group projects that come along with courses it’s hard to immediately appreciate those deep intellectual discussions that challenge your way of thinking. As I made the transition from a government and sociology double major to a middle school U.S. history teacher, I was constantly making observations about structures and dynamics within the classroom, school, and American education system as a whole–observations that would probably spark some deeper research if I had immediate access to all the resources I had in college (specifically libraries and time). And the way workplace relationships are set up, you probably won’t be having these deep discussions with your coworkers. If you do they don’t happen often (but if they do consider yourself lucky!) Or maybe I’m alone on this one and probably just need to take myself back to school…
Student. Discounts.
This one is self explanatory. From Spotify to online clothing sites to whole entire macbooks, that student discount was real and came in clutch. The discounts may have had less to do with being at college and more to do with my status as a student but the point still stands. Gone but never forgotten.
Destination Syndrome
This might sound like a negative aspect of college but when you think about it, it’s much easier to mark memories, events, and personal goals by your year in college than it is to mark it by years in…life. “Freshman year I want to try this club” or ” Junior year I want to travel abroad to this country” or “I know I definitely want to write a senior thesis” are all common sayings you might overhear on a college campus. I must admit, these type of environments can be just as overwhelming as they are motivating but once you’ve graduated it’s way too easy to let one year mesh into another without ever checking in on any of the goals you’ve set for yourself. There’s no thesis advisor or pre-professional group to hold you accountable anymore. On top of that, for a lot of college students, you’re biggest lifetime goal is to graduate from college. Once that’s out of the way, you’ve got to be real with yourself about setting new goals that keep you just as motivated as a college diploma did. Post grad life means being more proactive and aware of not only setting your goals but also holding yourself accountable for the timeline you have to meet them.
Once you’ve graduated it’s way too easy to let one year mesh into another without ever checking in on any of the goals you’ve set for yourself.
I hope this post either took you down memory lane or inspired you to take some time to appreciate the little things about your college experience. Major shout out and congratulations to the class of 2018! And if you’ve already graduated, what are some of the things you miss most about college? Comment below with your list!
Paper Dolls Boutique Lace Dress via Asos| Powder Pink Block Heels
