College really the best 4 years of your life?

[Anonymous]

I keep reading on this forum that college was amazing back in the day. I look back and I don’t see it that way. I am still really good friends with one person after 20 years. I remember college as a time where I slept in, rolled out of bed, went to class if I felt like it, went out, drank, took tests, and had a work study job. Nothing of that was earth shattering amazing. I graduated with a B and got a job before my senior year ended in consulting.

Now I read these threads and everyone has this take on how kids aren’t experiencing college as it use to be and it was an amazing time for us back in the day. Is that really true?

[Anonymous]

I had a very good experience, but it wasn't the best four years of my life.

The best were probably my mid-late 20s. I had disposable income, lived in a great place, was doing well in work, met my DH, had TONS of free time to pursue hobbies, traveled a bunch, was pretty harmonious with my parents.

College had lots of ups. But it also had a year+ of loneliness while I figured things out. I had a bad eating disorder that now I can see damaged my experience. A few other downs.

[Anonymous]

It was a good time, absolutely. I don’t know how you can call any point in your life the “best” time. There are a lot of good times, for different reasons.

The time most people spend in undergrad is unique because of the combination of new adult freedom and having very few actual responsibilities.

[Anonymous]

I think this narrative is kind of exhausting for kids and adults. College can be a great time but for many kids it’s fine. It sets an expectation that if your 4 years in college are mediocre or frankly, anything less than amazing, then you’re doing something wrong.

“Enjoy this time it’s the best 4 years of your life”. Wow, that’s depressing….its all downhill after 22?

[Anonymous]

Absolutely not. I enjoyed the classes but I grew tired very quickly of the rest of it. I graduated a year early. My provost asked me, “why are you leaving, these are the best years of your life!” I replied, “I hope not”. I was correct. I have had many much happier years since then.

[Anonymous]

I failed out of one college, then went to a second one where I worked full time and part time while going to school at night. It was nowhere near the best time in my life, and I didn't attend graduation because I found out not only do they charge you for it, but I'd have to take time off from work. I can't even remember the last name of anyone from college.

The best time in my childhood was second grade.

[Anonymous]

I think if a period in your past was the best time in your life, that's sad.

I have way more responsibilities now, but I know myself better, I have beautiful children I love dearly, and a partner I love. I struggle a lot and have some tragedies in my life but I wouldn't go back unless it was to study harder and apply myself more!

[Anonymous]

For a four-year stretch? Easily the best time. I was fortunate not to pay for college so didn’t have to worry about paying bills; loved my classes and learning; played a sport; terrific friends, even 30 years later we are still close. But I know not everyone has that experience and not everyone loves school.

[Anonymous]

Best? Probably not.

Most free from responsibilities (for most)? Absolutely!

Food and housing provided. Class optional.

It's a chance to do whatever the hell you want for 4 years. That's a once-in-a-lifetime thing.

[Anonymous]

Goodness, no. I hated college and struggled socially and academically.

The best time of my life was law school though, which most people hate. I had a blast.

[Anonymous]

I think college is more fun in retrospect that it was when I was in it. The 1st two years were really hard but I did find my people and my place on campus later and my last couple years were really great. Although there was a lot of stress the last year about finding a job.

It wasn't the best years of my life. I'd say that was my 30s -- I met DH a week before I turned 30 and I had my children in that decade. I got to be a SAHM for several years and that was such a lovely bubble of time that I really enjoyed.

I have two kids in college. Both found 1st year a struggle to find their place, make friends but settled in well by 2nd year. One is a now a senior and enjoying college but also says it's scary/stressful to be a senior knowing you are supposed to be figuring out what's next and have to actually step up and be an adult in June. I think that's all very normal.

[Anonymous]

I was much too studious and poor to enjoy myself then. I was studying or working. My best years were probably my early working days and then my sah days with little kids when it was not easy, but so much fun. Waiting for another fun phase now, empty nesting might be, hopefully?

[Anonymous]

I loved my four years of college and would t trade them for anything! But they included plenty of challenges and “lows” in addition to all the adventures and “highs”.

For me, they were t the best years of my life. I’m not sure I could pick any years as the best. But they were definitely some of the most intense. I lived, learned, and loved SO intensely during that period of my life.

I’d say they were four of the most special years of my life, because I literally grew into myself as a young adult. Leaving my parents and living on my own opened up an entirely new and huge world! So much intensity in that period of time (along with sleeping late, hanging out with friends, going out, and just soaking it all in on the quad from time to time.)

I’d feel awful if those were the best years of my life. What would that say about the decades since then??

[Anonymous]

OP here. I’m glad to see these responses. When I was reading through this forum, I assumed I was the odd man out and my DC who is in college was also missing out.

[Anonymous]

Anything is possible on a given night. That’s the best part.