I didn't have the "college experience"

[Anonymous]

I had the college experience and if I had a do over I would skip it and get on with life. Partying and hedonism is just unimportant and a sidetrack.

But I guess that is my 'youth is wasted on the young' perspective. At the time, I didn't see anything better to do and felt how I spent my time and who I spent it with was fairly unimportant. Now I'm picky about those things.

[Anonymous]

OP, went to a commuter school undergrad (long story), MBA at a well ranked urban school, and now doing another masters at a real campus with football and the whole bit. Obviously at a later age not in a dorm or partying with sorority girls, but totally enjoying the academic environment. It's never too late!!!!!

[Anonymous]

I had a strange college experience as well. I had to work all the time. A couple of times I had to drop out for a year and work full time to save money to go back to school another year. It got much better once I moved away from my parents who constantly borrowed money from me to finance their social life. When in school I hung out almost exclusively with graduate students.

[Anonymous]

I went to a large state school; I was just a number there. I did not have the college experience. I did not really go to many parties, I did not have a lot of sex, and I did not get drunk often.

But, when I fill out my SF86, I can answer no to a lot of questions (e.g., DUI, Drug use).

I also learned a lot.

[Anonymous]

Given your personality type I don't think a different circumstance would have lead to a different result.

I had a fantastic time in college. Mine was a wonderland of ideas, traveling, meeting diverse people but it was brutally cut throat so I don't miss being in college nor would I call it the best four years of my life. Grad school also had some fun times and also some real lows. Every day I live life to the fullest and am happy so no regrets here!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Did I really miss out on the best 4 years of my life?

Would you want the 4 best years of your life to be in your past at 28?

[Anonymous]

Eh. I went to a big school as a high.school virgin who maybe had two beers, decent enough school but nothing prestigious, joined a fraternity and made a ton of friends elsewhere too. I developed great social skills that have served me well. I got lots of sex, drank way too much, tried drugs, experimented. No regrets other than my grades were like.a 2.4. So while I regret blowing off academics completely, it never hurt me as I still got 95% centile on the LSATs and got into a first tier law school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am a 28 year old woman who never had the "college experience". I went to community college my first two years and then joined a large state school where I had trouble making friends because I was extremely shy and awkward. 2 years later I graduate with hardly any real friends and never went to a college party or a frat party. I deeply regret it and wish I wasnt so awkward and socially inept then.

Did I really miss out on the best 4 years of my life?

No unless you ask a frat boy Most people will admit college was not the best 4 years of their life. I am 48, had a decent college experience at one of the country's best schools. No way do those 4 years even rank close to being at the top of the best 4 years! Most college kids are very immature, have lots of regrets and wish they studied harder. Trust me the best is yet to come!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am a 28 year old woman who never had the "college experience". I went to community college my first two years and then joined a large state school where I had trouble making friends because I was extremely shy and awkward. 2 years later I graduate with hardly any real friends and never went to a college party or a frat party. I deeply regret it and wish I wasnt so awkward and socially inept then.

Did I really miss out on the best 4 years of my life?

I had the college experience but the best years of my life for making friends/social life were around 28. I joined a kickball team, made great friends and met DH.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Eh. I went to a big school as a high.school virgin who maybe had two beers, decent enough school but nothing prestigious, joined a fraternity and made a ton of friends elsewhere too. I developed great social skills that have served me well. I got lots of sex, drank way too much, tried drugs, experimented. No regrets other than my grades were like.a 2.4. So while I regret blowing off academics completely, it never hurt me as I still got 95% centile on the LSATs and got into a first tier law school.

Dude, you're my hero.

[Anonymous]

I loved college. For me it was the 4 year awesome stereotype. My parents paid for everything and I went to a SLACS with a great social scene. My very closest friends are still my college friends. I have wonderful memories but, they are just memories. Everyone has a different highlights in their life. Mine are college, but highschool I didn't love so much, it was just okay. I hated law school but enjoyed my twenties. I have another set of great memories from dating my now husband, getting married, having babies, etc... Treasure your memories of the great years you did have. They certainly don't need to be specific ones.

[Anonymous]

I find this thread a little crazy. So apparently college is only fun if you go Greek, attend frat parties and play beer pong naked, attend college games, get drunk and get laid, and are an extrovert?

Interesting. I went to a prominent, top public university and I was a friendly introvert who didn't drink. I didn't even consider joining a sorority. I had no interest in football.

But I had an AMAZING time. I had more friends than I knew what to do with, there was always something to do because I was involved in like 5 student clubs and loved attending interesting visiting speakers' lectures or concerts or private, alcohol-free parties that my friends hosted. As an introvert, I also loved being lost in my own thoughts. I adored going to a cozy corner of one of the libraries on campus and curling up with a book on a cold winter evening. I loved the freedom I had to learn, discover, and always find something interesting to do. And I had a thriving social life without any effort - in fact, because I'm an introvert I would find myself turning down invitations very often so that I could be alone with a book for the night (my favorite way to pass the evening, in fact).

College is what you make of it. There isn't only one way to have fun!

[Anonymous]

I didn't have it either and I regret it.
But you shouldn't worry, you're young and have a lot to look forward to.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am a 28 year old woman who never had the "college experience". I went to community college my first two years and then joined a large state school where I had trouble making friends because I was extremely shy and awkward. 2 years later I graduate with hardly any real friends and never went to a college party or a frat party. I deeply regret it and wish I wasnt so awkward and socially inept then.

Did I really miss out on the best 4 years of my life?

No. You didn't. We all have our best years when we have them, and that's the way it is. Enjoy your friends and do fun things now.

You are beating yourself up for no reason.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I find this thread a little crazy. So apparently college is only fun if you go Greek, attend frat parties and play beer pong naked, attend college games, get drunk and get laid, and are an extrovert?

Interesting. I went to a prominent, top public university and I was a friendly introvert who didn't drink. I didn't even consider joining a sorority. I had no interest in football.

But I had an AMAZING time. I had more friends than I knew what to do with, there was always something to do because I was involved in like 5 student clubs and loved attending interesting visiting speakers' lectures or concerts or private, alcohol-free parties that my friends hosted. As an introvert, I also loved being lost in my own thoughts. I adored going to a cozy corner of one of the libraries on campus and curling up with a book on a cold winter evening. I loved the freedom I had to learn, discover, and always find something interesting to do. And I had a thriving social life without any effort - in fact, because I'm an introvert I would find myself turning down invitations very often so that I could be alone with a book for the night (my favorite way to pass the evening, in fact).

College is what you make of it. There isn't only one way to have fun!

You are awesome.