It constantly baffles my mind on a pretty much daily basis how anyone could have handled this whole college thing without some of my favorite things. I don’t get how my mom, dad and the rest of our parents’ generation passed through their 4 years without these live-saving apps and websites.
1. Netflix
This one almost goes without saying. I know I waste a lot of my time watching all my favorite shows, and maybe there are better uses for my time, but I can’t help but wonder what the heck the college students of the 80s and before did without The Office, Sex and the City, Gossip Girl, New Girl, Gray’s Anatomy, etc. all available at the click of a button. How did they enjoy any television before streaming? Did they really wait around for shows to come on cable? How did you coordinate to be in front of a TV when your favorite show was coming on? And what if you missed it? I guess they could have recorded things on tape, but that seems crazy. I don't get how anyone could have managed the random days when I have very little to do and a lot of interest in my latest favorite, Velvet. Lastly, props to those that never got a chance to “Netflix and Chill.”
2. Venmo
Okay this one physically just makes no sense. How much cash did you carry around? Did you have to really pool money together by hand? That seems kind of insane, Mom. Where did you even keep that cash? The convenience of Venmo is one that I can seriously appreciate because we didn't have it in high school, but now in college, I. Just. Don’t. Get. It.
3. Uber
The logistics of going out are just so simplified by this little app. Uber has saved my life on more occasions than I can count and I really don't understand how anyone could figure out rides and designated drivers all the time. Also, how did you coordinate when someone was supposed to pick you up. What if the party was really fun and your friend didn't feel like waiting up to save you. Uber is the savior to many college nights for all. It seems insane to me that anyone especially a college student could have done life in the pre-Uber era.
4. Rate My Professor
On a scholarly note, how in the world did you know what professors to choose as you decided on classes? Did you just guess that if I name sounded nice enough the professor would be fine? Craziness is an understatement.
5. Amazon Prime
The motivation to go out and buy things can sometimes be brutal and with a glorious website like Amazon Prime, why would you? I can decide on an item — whether it is socks, a new lamp, a new pair of shoes, or a box of Keurig Coffee cups — and have it be delivered to my dorm in less than 48 hours. How did people during the times sans Amazon do it? I will never know.
6. Facebook
The revolutionary original from my perspective social network. The pages, events, and late night stalking that is included in your decision to sign up for Facebook are almost as necessary to me as water. That might be an exaggeration, but seriously, how did our parents stalk photos of their new crush from class, stay informed on what events are coming up, or what pages for different clubs are up to? Mind boggling, I know. Also, how did you know whose birthdays were coming up/today?
7. Find My Friends
I’m not sure everyone uses this as much as me and my friends, but I LOVE Find My Friends. I can tell when my friends are home safe or just near me. It’s cool, I recommend it for all, but how did people not track each other before these kinds of GPS apps? I can’t locate an answer to that, but ask me where my friends and family are, I know.
8. Snapchat
No matter what you’re snapping, you know you love Snapchat. The social media of our generation, the latest and greatest. We all love making and watching stories. For me, this media platform that keeps me most connected to my amigos from other schools in other places. It is the most current keeping up possible. I just can’t comprehend how anyone could experience this whole college thing without documenting all of it in increments of 10 second memories.
So there you have it generations before us? How? Just how did you do it?
