Now that college students are officially back on campus, I'm seeing a lot of Facebook statuses, photos and Snapchats about school. Having recently graduated, I've pretty successfully been in denial for the summer about not going back to college. But now that people are back, going to classes, going out and having fun, it's something that is staring me directly in the face again. No more denial. I'm not going back.
That being said, there are a lot of things about college I'm missing right now as I sit in my cubicle at work (I love my job, but still, it's just not the same). So these are some things I really miss about college:
1. Living with your friends.
There's nothing like living with friends. Even if they're not your roommates, most of the time you live in the same building, or in a building a few hundred yards from your building. You can see them whenever you want, and that's not a luxury you have in the adult world most of the time.
2. Living on your own.
While I know I'm incredibly luckily to have parents that let me move back in after graduating so that I can save this first year of work, I also have to admit that I miss living more on my own. It's nice to have that level of independence, and you don't have to worry about bills and preparing all your meals and such.
3. Participating in clubs.
While my clubs were often stressful, they were a lot of fun. It was nice to hang out with a group of people that all had a common interest or goal in mind. I never really thought I could miss the business of creating a newspaper every week, but I'm discovering that I really do wish I could get back that club time I took for granted.
4. Starbucks.
Do I even need to explain this one? Iced coffee every morning. Frappucinos galore. I miss it.
5. Not having to work a 40 hour week.
While I like my job and I'm excited for the upcoming year, I also miss the downtime I used to have during the day. Also, cubicles are not my favorite. I'd pick a classroom any day.
6. Taking fun classes.
I was lucky enough to have the extra time in my schedule to take classes for fun, and I really miss being able to dive into topics that interest me. Senior year was a lot of fun because I took multiple classes that weren't necessary for graduation, but that ended up being really enlightening and some of the best classes I ever took in college.
7. Sleeping in.
I have a 6:45 AM wake up call every day. My body no longer knows how to sleep until 10 AM, and I really miss those days.
8. Staying up late.
Again, my body doesn't understand how to stay awake late anymore. By 10 PM I'm falling asleep on the couch like an old lady.
9. Netflixing all the time.
God, I love Netflix. I don't get to watch it nearly as much anymore.
10. Having a copious amount of downtime.
This goes along with Netflixing - I just don't have the time anymore, which is super sad. Downtime was beautiful in college, and something I miss quite a lot.
11. Friends. All the friends.
I miss just being in the college community. I miss movie nights on the air mattress, ping pong in the lounge, dinner in the campus center, game nights - we had a lot of fun.
So to anyone still in college, you better be enjoying every moment! Speaking from experience, it'll take some time to get used to this adulthood thing. And you'll miss college, too, once it's all over.
Don't worry, though - you'll find something you love to do, and then it won't be too bad. Just a little bit of nostaligia for the good old days (and that's normal!).
