On one of our college tours, the admissions rep actually said "if a college tells you that it will be the best four years of your life, stop and think about that. Do you really want the best years of your life to be over by the time you are 22?" They followed up with a lot of other stuff - you will work hard but have fun, make lifelong friends, we will prepare you for the career you want, etc. But I did think this was an interesting perspective. Sadly, I knew too many people who did think college was their best years, stuck around campus for too long and still act like they are in college.

They were for me 30 years ago. But, then I had a challenging family life growing up, so it was a relief to just get away and hang out with people who pretty clearly liked me.

Then I went to law school which was fine, but more challenging. After that, I probably didn't take enough advantage of my late 20s. I worked and when I had some days off, I'd go visit my girlfriend (now wife) who lived in a different town. Then kids. Now the kids are late teens. Life is pretty good, but not as fun as undergrad. Guess I'll find out soon how my kids experience college.

Anonymous wrote:I feel sorry for people who say their best years were college. I feel like my 20s and 30s are awesome. More money, more fun.

I feel genuinely sorry for you that you tie having fun to money.

Being a broke college student was awesome. I worked a job and studied and partied and made fun out of nothing on the weekends. I now have security and money as as physician but look back at those college years as being incredibly special.
We made fun out of thin air and had the best time doing it.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Working two jobs and putting myself through school? Broke and exhausted? Um, no.

For rich kids being subsidized by their parents to party and bring guaranteed cushy summer internships, seems like it could be fun.

+1

Well then let those people enjoy their memories.

I don’t think sharing our memories impedes on others from enjoying their memories. Or does it make you uncomfortable to realize that some people have to struggle to get a college degree? That there are those for whom what feels like a “normal” college experience is actual quite abnormal?

No/ why would it make me uncomfortable? Some people struggle and some people don’t. Some people have easier lives and some people don’t. This is not a new discovery. There are a range of experiences as well. Not everything is cookie cutter or what it seems.

Anonymous wrote:After college in my 20's was the best time for me. In college I was shy and depressed and had no clue about life.

same here

No. College and the years following it were difficult. The adjustment to young adulthood is difficult for many. Living away from home, navigating the social relationships in college, etc. When I graduated from college and started working, that was a whole different animal. I found it difficult to make friends and was quite lonely. This despite being an outgoing person and having many friends in college.

Some kids are stressed out trying to get high grades. They are burnt out from years of being pushed by parents.

Anonymous wrote:It better be, because folks here talk about it obsessively.

I find it hard to believe that the blowhard parents who post a lot in this forum have genuinely happy kids in college.

It better be, because folks here talk about it obsessively.

Anonymous wrote:After college in my 20's was the best time for me. In college I was shy and depressed and had no clue about life.

I was shy and depressed in college, too. My parents built it up throughout my teen years. My expectations about what it would be like socially were way too high, and when it fell short, I drank way, way too much to try to fit in. It still makes me sad thinking about it in my 40s now.

And academically, I never found much motivation. I worked way harder in my big public high school just to get into my college and then once I was in, it was thoroughly underwhelming.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is this still true?

No for me right now is the best time.

100% tele work. I wake up when I wake up.
The work is pretty easy with well over 6 figure salay with ton of benefits.

I can't believe this is happening.
In fact I thank Covid.

Fed?

We deal with feds working from home. It's hard to get any work out of them bc they are overworked at home. If we get 10% work out of them in the end, that's like a bonus.

After college in my 20's was the best time for me. In college I was shy and depressed and had no clue about life.

Anonymous wrote:It was never true for me. I didn’t like my college years at all. And I went to school that many on DCUM are hoping and praying their kids might attend.

Are you me? I hated my college years and wanted to get through them as quickly as possible. A big part had to do with the fact I unexpectedly ended up having to pay my way through. It's amazing I didn't just drop out and be done. Anyhow, I am fully paying for my kids with the expectation they finance their "fun" money. They seem to be doing much better than I did and enjoying their experience, despite COVID.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not any more. Kids' summers are filled with new requirements that many parents didn't have to deal with - research and internship. So, no, not true at this point.

I know plenty of college aged kids whose summer jobs are the same sorts of things I did - camp counselor, wait staff/restaurant hostess, retail, etc. Also the ones who tout their internships often seem to be remote, cush ones (or stay at college to “do research” for a professor which usually sounds like a calm and fun summer with other students around). Of course there are students doing serious work, too, but plenty have “regular” temporary jobs.

Yes, I was talking about top performing kids.

I would be so interested in real life to meet the posters on this forum who seem to have no issue regularly insulting kids.

I'd probably be able to withstand 30 seconds with their insufferable attitude before I had to go refill my drink or something.

College was great. I had freedom and independence but then also no money stress because I had a full ride and my parents paid for everything else. I was skinny and gorgeous. Could eat whatever and not gain a pound. I was an engineering major and found well paid summer internships very easily. I was able to graduate summa cum laude but still have the time of my life. Spring break would leave the country with friends. Met my now husband in college. We share 5 amazing children. Yes. College was the best. I love my life now but I had less people to worry about and stress about so it was a more carefree time.