I'm 23, Still In College And It's Not A Big Deal
Start writing a post
Student Life

I'm 23, Still In College And It's Not A Big Deal

I guess it's not as big of a deal as I thought it was.

1053
I'm 23, Still In College And It's Not A Big Deal
Kasey Seifried

I’ve been in college since I was eighteen. I graduated from high school, went to community because it was cheaper and the easy thing to do.

Whenever I went to visit my friends at school I would lie about where I went, embarrassed by the fact that I settled for a glorified version high school that was fifteen minutes down the road. I would spend days in my friend’s dorm room sleeping on the floor next to his bed, trying to pretend I was getting the college experience myself. When I got fed up with community college, I decided it was a good time to transfer to a University fifteen minutes in the other direction.

I’m not going to lie, I did feel a bit of pride when I got my acceptance letter in the mail even though the acceptance rate is 74% and I’m not exactly an idiot. Unbeknownst to me, I was signing away all my community credits because I was so eager to leave that I never obtained my associate's degree.

Halfway through my first semester at my new University, I found out I was now two semesters behind.

I’ve unenthusiastically attended this University since Fall 2014. I’ve shown up to [almost] every single one of my classes, turned in every assignment on time and studied for every test. I’ve had professors that didn’t like me and I worked my a** off to keep my self-respect and my GPA up. I’ve studied for Spanish exams in the kitchen of my job, taped psychology notes to the shower door, became a regular at a local Starbucks reading for my poetry classes and pulled way too many all-nighters trying to carve all my writing into perfection.

I care a lot about school but that doesn’t necessarily mean I like it. I hit my breaking point one day my junior year after coming back from my international media class. I was walking to my car, which wasn't even close to campus. I had to park across a major highway because my school doesn’t like to provide us with parking, only to discover that it had been towed. I broke into complete panic which turned to full-on rage by the time the man who towed me picked up the phone.

An uncomfortable car ride with my mom, 40 minutes and $275 later, I got my car back and spent the entire drive home in tears. I don’t really think I gave a sh*t that my car got towed, I just think in that moment I realized how much I hated college. Since then I’ve seen a lot of my friends graduate and get ‘adult jobs’ while I’m still waking up at noon for class and waiting tables.

I’ve hit a lot of roadblocks in my college career. I’ve had a lot of mental breakdowns, a decent amount of panic attacks and a few of my friends talking me out of dropping out. I never understood why I needed math or sciences to write a book. I was never really good at either, but I passed with unimpressive colors. I might have struggled a bit but I’ve written so many poems, scenes and stories that I could probably publish my portfolio. Somewhere along the way, I learned a little bit about how to be a good writer.

I am currently a senior, in the middle of my last semester before graduation. I’ll be receiving my bachelor's degree in print journalism and creative writing. I’ll finally receive that piece of paper that might convince someone important that I’m a good enough writer. I worked hard to get where I am and I don’t think I’ve looked forward to anything more than finally earning this degree.

I turned 23 last month. It might’ve taken me a little longer to get that cap and gown, but hey, that’s alright.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

51838
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

33292
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

956188
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

181117
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments