Everyone has heard the quote, “it’s the best four years of your life!” The friends, experiences and many memories, contribute to this quote. But my question is, do the four years refer to high school or college? I mean you meet friends in high school and make memories, but then again you do the same in college. Because I have heard this in reference to both high school and college, I decided to ask around. I know what my answer is, but I went to multiple people I go to school with now, and some high school friends to ask what they thought.
I asked 10 people from Marquette University, and 10 people that I went to high school with, that are now at all different colleges. The group also varied in how well I knew the people, from some of my best friends to people I don't know as well.
Out of the 10 individuals I asked from my high school, seven of them said college is what the “four years” is referring to. Two people said high school is the “best four years,” and one was in between both. Since the results were varied, I asked some of the people to explain why they picked what they did.
Lucas (19) “College has more freedom and you make more friends that you will know in the future.”
Ashley (19) “College is more realistic, college is where you find yourself and can define yourself. You are thrown into the real world and sometimes you go through hard times. But these hard times show you who your true friends are, whether it be people from home that you grew up with or friends you have come to love at school.”
When I asked why the individuals picked high school, the response was:
Teresa (19) “You get to have fun with friends you have known for years. High school is carefree while college is more serious, and you have to decide what you want to do for the rest of your life, and that’s scary.”
I realized everyone's answer was accurate, that there did not necessarily have to be a right and wrong. Which is why I enjoyed listening to what the “indifferent” person had to say.
Shannon (19) “Both high school and college are great, but they are too different to compare. I have loved all of the experiences I have had so far.”
After re-reading peoples responses, I realize, the “best four years of your life” could refer to both times. Why should we have to pick “which four years” is better or worse. I do not necessarily think anyone should have to choose.
However, from all 10 of the people I currently attend Marquette with, the response was “college.”
Now why is that? Maybe it is because they like college better, maybe it is because Marquette is just so amazing, that everyone likes it better than high school...
Camille (19) “College makes you into the person you are meant to be.”
Kaitlyn (20) “You become more mature and grow up, going through a new journey where you experience new challenges.”
Reece (20) “Me and my parents fought in high school. Now I realize that I need them and I appreciate them much more, because I am away from them.”
I 100 percent agree with this. I think when you are in high school you are either a rebellious teenager or you aren’t; however, living with the same people for 18 years can lead to many arguments. But spending your entire childhood with the same people and then living away from them for months at a time gives you the realization that your family should be appreciated more. So if people think getting away from home is the reason why college is better, then that's what is best for them.
Since I collected other people’s ideas, why not share my own? I think college is the best four years of my life. I have come to realize my parents are not the mean, unreasonable people I thought they were when I was in high school, they are two of my best friends.
I also went to college for new experiences and not to always do the same things. Thus far, I am still dancing on the dance team…but I have joined a sorority, found a major that suits me, started to write for The Odyssey, and found a group of friends that I absolutely love. This is not to say I hated high school. I liked it! But for me I would have to say college, even though my high school friends will always be my lifelong friends. I think it is interesting, thinking back, that “four years” could be so impactful. But truth be told, the majority of people I talked to believe college is their time to shine and their “best four years.”
