Your life is going to be filled with so much more than just partying, living with friends and attending classes. Your life will never be perfect, but every life will have perfect moments. Moments that you look back and think “that was amazing.” But to say that college is one big happy moment - is a lie. It’s full of struggle, passion, happiness, drama, just like everything else. College is not exempt from the rules of the universe, and for me, I hope it will not be “the best 4 years” of my life. The best four years of my life will probably not be in a row, and may just be moments that make up four years. I will look back on college and think about the friends I made and things I did, but also I will look back and realize how much I have grown. I think that to say college is the “best four years” downplays so many other important parts of your life, too, like...

First job

The purpose of college is to one day get a job. I for one am excited to see what my first real job will be, and work my way up through the workplace, networking and making connections along the way. My life could go in a million different directions, and I am looking forward to making those important decisions.

First house

I cannot wait to buy my first house. Yes I may be in debt, but I will have something that I can own. A lot of the stuff I own now is from part-time jobs or my parents; I have no real property. I hope that buying a house comes with other perks as well, such as having people to share it with.

Your career accomplishments

I hope to one day be someone high up in a corporation, whether it be in Coca Cola’s marketing department or in a market research firm. I hope to work my way up in the world, and achieve professional dreams. It may be difficult, and there will be setbacks, but I cannot wait to look back and say “look what I have achieved.”

Kids

I really want to have kids one day, and I hope I will look at them and think “you are the best thing to happen to me,” not that I shot gunned a beer in front of a cute guy at a party. My children are going to be a big part of my life and I cannot wait to meet them. I look forward to someday attending Mommy & Me Classes and sending them to school for their first day. I hope that seeing them grow up is one of the best parts of my life.

Family

I grew up going on large group vacations with many families; family friends that I consider to be family. I look forward to growing old with my friends and siblings, and watching our kids grow up together. I am excited to be the mom teasing their kids and taking pictures on the beach.

Travel

Next semester, I am going abroad to Italy. While there, I plan on traveling around. But I also look forward to traveling the world with family and friends one day, and going on adventures. I want my future children to go to Europe one day, and I hope to go on yearly vacations, even if it's just to Boston or the Jersey Shore like my parents do. Traveling is one of my favorite things, and study abroad is not the only time I will have to do it.

I know I’m only a college student and do not actually have expertise on the topic, but please take my words into account when you are a college student and find yourself thinking, “is this it? Is this the best part of my life?” Because your life will have plenty of amazing moments, and I hope you enjoy them all.