What regrets do you have about your own college experience?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I went to a huge flagship state school. I hated it. I have siblings who went to smaller universities and had a much more positive college experience - both in instruction quality, attention to students, and making close friendships.

I went to a huge flagship state school and adored it. I came from the boonies and I embraced the big, wide world with open arms. So many opportunities, so many majors and classes, so many sources of info. I earned two major scholarships while there that sent me abroad including a Fulbright. It was awesome. I did learn that I'm not a person who enjoys sharing a bedroom.

DP: I was the opposite--I was from the city and went to a giant overcrowded high school. Instead of my state flagship, I went to a small SLAC that felt really personalized and cozy. But I also went abroad multiple times to do research during college and followed it up with a Fulbright. Paths diverge and converge.

[Anonymous]

I wish I had gone to a college in an urban cool city. Instead I went to a school in the middle of nowhere. Outside of frat parties, apt parties and a handful of bars, there was nothing else to do. It was a huge univ but I felt so stifled by junior year.

[Anonymous]

So many trolls on this thread, as usual.

[Anonymous]

I went to my VERY large state flagship school on a sports scholarship (D-1). It was awesome until I sustained a major injury that forced me to quit the team. My life had always been structured around studying and sports. Playing on a team that practiced from 6am to noon everyday (and then late afternoon practices) forced me to focus on study (we also had a huge team of counselors and tutors to help us), Once I was done with sports (because of my injury) I had so much free time I didn't know what to do with it. I partied too hard and paid the price (grade wise}. My regret is thinking that my sport would get me though college. When it went to hell, I wasn't prepared to do college level work on my own - non assisted. I wish I would have known what I know today.

The good news is I survived. As will all the kids from private school (mine included) who were rejected or waitlisted, and those waiting on RD decisions. Life is tough. Even if you work hard, nothing is given to you.

Off point from the original poster, college was one of the best experiences of my life. I learned failure, success, and having to get up when you are down. I learned more from interacting with a broad range of students than any book I nave ever read or any course that I took in college. In my personal opinion, let your kids decide where to go to school (obviously based on where they were accepted). Trust your kids. They will make mistakes but we all do!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So many trolls on this thread, as usual.

LOL ! Pot, meet kettle....

[Anonymous]

My only partial regret is/was in not applying to my reach or even dream school, mostly because of money or expectation concerns. While I had amazing HS teachers, we were all naive about what lay beyond our mid-sized, Southern city minority-majority school.

But I loved where I went and what I did while there. Partied a little in the first two years, really buckled down in the last two. Saw enough foolishness that I didn't actually have to partake and walked out with a STEM degree and no debt.

As for Study Abroad, I didn't even know that 'concept' existed until long after I'd graduated from college. It probably wouldn't have appealed to me then anyway as I was fortunate enough to spend several long summers visiting family in my parent's country of birth. Loved that culture and my time spent there but understand why my parent jumped though all the hoops to emigrate to the US.

[Anonymous]

I wish I'd taken more advantage of opportunities to get to know my professors.

Went to a regional LAC with small classes and approachable faculty, but it didn't occur to me to go to office hours and get involved in activities within my department like the lit journal, etc. It wasn't until after graduation that I realized that some of my classmates actually kept in touch with professors.

I did okay, but I could've gotten a little more mentoring and had a better idea of what adult life as an academic was like.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So many trolls on this thread, as usual.

What makes you think that? I kind of like this thread. More so than other threads where people are trying to boost/bash certain schools, it gives you a sense of what might be important to look for in a college.

[Anonymous]

I should have worked less. School became more like a hobby instead of getting my full attention.

[Anonymous]

Getting involved immediately upon starting my freshman year (at 17) with a 27-year-old postdoc. It was not only abusive; it stymied my social development with my peers for a long time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So many trolls on this thread, as usual.

What makes you think that? I kind of like this thread. More so than other threads where people are trying to boost/bash certain schools, it gives you a sense of what might be important to look for in a college.

Me too....and I'll share some of the answers with my teens. Even though, yes, this is an anonymous board, there's probably more than a fair share of truth. Makes me laugh even harder at Progressive's "TV Dad" commercial.

[Anonymous]

I wish I would have had supportive parents. I wish I would have had someone show me how the financial aid system worked. I wished I would have been a student first, instead of a bartender taking classes. I wish I wouldn't have had to leave TWO schools because of money.

My undergraduate degree was hard earned, and I am so so happy my own children won't have to do that. But that degree is also what got me out of my home town and into a career I love. My retirement/second career dream is to get a PhD

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wish I would have had supportive parents. I wish I would have had someone show me how the financial aid system worked. I wished I would have been a student first, instead of a bartender taking classes. I wish I wouldn't have had to leave TWO schools because of money.

My undergraduate degree was hard earned, and I am so so happy my own children won't have to do that. But that degree is also what got me out of my home town and into a career I love. My retirement/second career dream is to get a PhD

I know a couple of people doing that. It's a great retirement goal to have. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

I wish I had gone to a more prestigious school. I wish my family could have afforded it.

[Anonymous]

1. Regret the boyfriend!
2. Regret not going to a better school despite having the grades and discipline. Really didn't have good advice on career paths, networking, etc.
3. Regret sticking with my major. Was full scholarship in an intensive program but in the end didn't have opportunity to explore options that would have given me an easier and more fulfilling career. Sometimes, free is costly.
4. Regret not having more fun - was so focused on grades that I didn't enjoy the experience as much as I should have.

On the positive side, I did study abroad my junior year and it was life changing. Also, I did a fair job of engaging with professors and taking advantage of internships. Even though it wasn't the best school, I did enjoy the urban environment.

This is a great thread btw and thanks to everyone who has shared. Interesting to see some themes emerge in the responses.