7 Things I Wish I Had Done Differently In College
College is a blast, but it isn’t until you are staring down your 10-year reunion that you regret some things you *didn’t* do.
I recently came upon a Facebook memory — a photo of my college roommates and me on a particular mischievous night our first year.
We were all smiles, carefree and happy. It reminded me of all the good times I had in college and got me thinking about what I would do differently if I could go back.
Don’t get me wrong — I loved my college experience. I made great friends, did well (ok, survived) academically, and made a ton of memories.
I had my heart broken a few times, met the woman who went from best friend to lifelong partner, and even managed to gain, lose, and gain the “Freshman 15” a few times over the years.
Yet, looking back a decade later, there are definitely some things I wish I had done differently while attending college.
Here are seven things, in retrospect, that I really wish I had done while attending college:
1. Don’t Take It So Seriously
I attended a liberal arts private college in Southwest Missouri — where there were no few rules and regulations.
From curfews to required attendance at “spiritual life events,” something or someone was always telling us how we were supposed to behave and what we were supposed to be doing.
And while some of those rules made sense (like not being allowed to have open flames in our dorm rooms), others just seemed silly (like making sure to never miss a chapel service on Wednesday mornings.)
But those regulations often turned into real fears that kept me from enjoying my college experience to the fullest. I was constantly worried about getting in trouble, and as a result, I missed out on a lot of opportunities to have fun and explore.
2. Get Involved In Activities Outside Your Major
I was really involved in theatre and music programs in high school, but when I got to college, I quickly lost touch with those passions.
It wasn’t until my junior year that I decided to audition for a role in The Crucible put on by our school’s theater department, and by then it felt like I was too late to the game.
I wish I had gotten involved in extracurriculars sooner — it would have helped me explore my interests, meet new people, and maybe even land a job after graduation.
Granted, our tight-knit crew of college buddies had an incredible time. But I do wonder if there were other opportunities and experiences I missed out on by not being more involved on campus.
3. Study Abroad
One of the things I regret most about my college experience is not taking advantage of the opportunity to study abroad. Our school had a fantastic study abroad program as well as many yearly mission trips that I could have gone on, but I never took the plunge.
Part of it was financial — I wasn’t sure if I could afford it. But looking back, I know that there are ways to make studying abroad more affordable, and I wish I had looked into those options sooner.
Life comes at you fast when you graduate, and soon the only “trip” you are taking is across the town to visit your in-laws. When you have the chance to go on an adventure, take it!
4. Don’t Be Afraid To Fail
In high school, I was obsessed with my GPA. I took the most challenging classes, participated in extracurriculars, and studied my butt off to make sure I had at least close to a 4.0.
But when I got to college, I quickly realized that grades weren’t everything. In fact, there were some classes where getting a “C” was practically inevitable — no matter how much I studied or how late I stayed up.
I wish I had realized that sooner. I would have taken more classes that interested me and fewer classes that I thought would “look good” on my transcript. I would have spent more time exploring potential careers and less time worrying about what my GPA was going to be.
5. Get Your Heart Broken A Few Times
When I was in college, I was so focused on finding my “soulmate” and getting married that I missed out on a lot of opportunities to actually meet and invest time in quality friendships that didn’t have to be “so serious.”
Now, I’m not saying that you shouldn’t be looking for love in college. But there’s something to be said for taking your time, enjoying the process of getting to know someone, and not rushing into a relationship just because a “ring by spring” is an unofficial college tradition.
I am now married to the love of my life, and I owe my college experience to that chance encounter in the student union. But if I could do it all over again, I would take a few more risks with my heart and not be so focused on finding “the one.”
6. Take An Internship or Two
In my sophomore year, I was introduced to a summer camp program where I could travel the country and help run camps for churches that focused on community rehabilitation programs. It sounded like a dream come true — and it was.
I met so many friends and saw amazing parts of the country. Those long hours and hard weeks made me more passionate about my future career goals.
Yet those summers came with a drawback I didn’t see until graduation. While I was out having a blast, my friends who stayed on campus and took internships were building their resumes, making connections, and getting a head start on their careers.
As a freelance writer, I admit there weren’t a ton of “internships” that I could have taken. But I wish I had taken the time to research and look for opportunities that could have helped me get my foot in the door of my desired industry — and helped me invest more financially for the future.
7. Actually Apply for Scholarships
The student loan program for college students is horribly broken. I learned this the hard way as a student and over 5 years as an admissions counselor. Our country won’t let 18-year-olds rent a car, but we will gladly loan them $100,000+ and force them to pay it back with interest.
Every day, I read another story of a recent grad who is struggling under the weight of their student loans. And while I can’t go back in time and stop myself from taking out those loans (unfortunately), I can tell you that there is one way to avoid them: scholarships.
There are billions of dollars of scholarships given out each year, yet most students don’t even apply.
I wish I had known about all the different scholarship opportunities available — and actually taken the time to apply for them. It would have saved me a lot of money (and stress) in the long run.
Learn From The Past To Prepare For The Future
In retrospect, there are definitely some things I wish I had done differently while attending college. But even though I didn’t do everything “right,” I still had an amazing experience that shaped who I am today. And for that, I am incredibly grateful.
The most important piece of wisdom I would give current college students is to learn from my mistakes. Be intentional with your time, don’t be afraid to take risks, and invest in your future personally and professionally.
And once you graduate, don’t stop learning. Take your experiences and distill the lessons you’ve learned to continue growing and becoming the best version of yourself — long after college is over.
