Things I Wish I Could Tell My Undergrad Self

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I love working on a college campus. 

I love being surrounded by a sea of endless school colors, having a coffee shop within five minutes of walking distance from anywhere, and generally having my finger on the pulse of what's cool and what's not (I usually don't understand it, but at least I know). My undergraduate days were by far one of the best chapters in life; I learned a lot about the world and myself.  Coming from a po' dunk school in the middle of Nowhere, South Carolina, I absorbed every second of my haughty collegiate experience at my big university, an experience I had longed for so badly.

There are times I miss so, SO much.

Having often reflected on my days of being a co-ed, there are also things I just wish I would've done a little better, a little differently - shoot, that I would've done at all. I can't say whether or not it would've made a big difference in the moment, but I can tell you it's something that would've saved me from a lot of awkward and frustrating moments in the present. Or, at least, made me appreciate things a little differently.

Overall, there are many things I feel like I did right: took part in student leadership activities, traveled abroad, focused on my health & wellness, and graduated Summa Cum Laude. Some how, I even become Homecoming Princess, and I'm still trying to figure out how that happened. ANYWAYS, having worked professionally on a college campus in several capacities now, I often find myself saying "I wish someone had this conversation with me when I was in school."

:: Things I Wish I Could Tell My Undergrad Self ::

1. Fully utilize the resources on campus.

That tuition you're forking over every semester isn't just being dumped into your professor's salary. There are career, wellness, academic, and special interest resources all at your disposal, all armed and equipped with people who's JOB is to help you improve, grow, and discover. For instance, a 30min visit to the career center to get my resume reviewed would've saved me serious time and the embarrassment of showing up to a job interview with the hack-job I was toting around. But I was proud - and a little lazy - so I saved these kinds of things to a panicked "last minute" moment to get done... which, of course, only resulted in even MORE stress and time wasted. Seriously, had I understood the value (money, time, and energy) of taking advantage of these things, I'd have gone more frequently - gone at all - and made my foundation a little more solid in my studies, my career development, and my health.

2. Take advantage of professional development opportunities - especially internships.

I always took the part-time job opportunity over the chance to sink my teeth into a project. Why? To make cash to buy stupid stuff. I told myself it was for things like school needs and living expenses, when really I had more frivolous necessary pairs of shoes and stress-induced Target shopping finds than textbooks at the end of any given semester. I did get a lot of experience out of those jobs and some good references, but I should've focused on experiences directly related to my major and my anticipated career path(s): internships, service learning courses, conferences, workshops, etc. Many employers I work with today say they won't even look at a resume without an internship or significant project work in the related field. I've managed to learn a lot along the way and do just fine, but the realities of the workplace are SO different from what they tell you the "real world" is like in the classroom.

3. Volunteer.  

I did a lot of service in undergrad; but I didn't really volunteer... much of my community service was motivated by other factors, like having hours to complete for a student group or class requirement. I always had fun, and I enjoyed it - but I didn't really see it as an opportunity to discover my passions, to truly give back, to create a small ripple that might lead to a big wave of change. And, most importantly, to surround myself with people who understand issues so complicated and in need of a champion that they devote their lives to making a difference. It wasn't until my AmeriCorps and grad school years that I really came to feel connected to issues, and now it's so hard to find ways to support all of them in addition to all the other facets of my adult life.

4. Quit looking like a slob.

Your professors notice when you come to class looking like a respectable human-being. They also notice when you come to class looking like a rag-a-muffin or a street walker. People, I've been at the front of that classroom looking into the crowd of students. I've tried not to notice the burrito stained sweat-shirts and hair pulled sloppily in a pile on one's head. The tattered gym shorts. The leggings and Ugg boots - OH THOSE HORRIBLE UGG BOOTS. The offensive t-shirts. The butt-cheeks and side-boobs overflowing from tight ensembles. It's distracting. Worse, it's a sign that you don't care: You don't care about the class, you don't care about yourself, and you don't care who knows it. And guess what? When the time comes, your professors and advisers and administrators have no obligation to care about your situation either. I was guilty of the yoga pants and PJs and flip-flops. Sure, I was comfortable in class, but I blended in with the sea of other co-eds hungover from the latest frat party or burnt from writing that paper last minute the night before. I was better than that, but my outward appearance suggested otherwise. 

5. Stop being friends with people you don't like. Seriously, just stop.

You know who I'm talking about: The people who make you feel stupid or belittled for liking something they don't like. The people who only are friends with you because they need your help. The people who you make time for but they can't make time for you. The people who, when you get around them, you find yourself saying or doing offensive or stupid or immature things you'd normally NEVER do. The people who don't make you feel special, inspired, or craving a fuller existence.

They won't be there after graduation.
Make more space for the people who will be there.
Leave a little room for the people who have yet to make an impact in your life.
Because they ARE coming, and you don't want to let them pass you by.

6. Learn a few grown-up things.

I thought when I graduated and was unleashed into an unsuspecting world, I'd suddenly be magically programmed with all the knowledge of "grown-up" things: taxes, health insurance, car insurance, car titles, car engines, multifaceted budgets, student loan repayments, national politics, local politics, work politics, 401Ks, deductions, mortgages, proper dinner/wedding etiquette, stocks and exchanges... and despite my ability to learn quickly, I had NO idea how these things would make me feel like a blithering idiot on a daily basis. I wish I would've taken some time to ask my parents about these things before I was thrust into the dark and scary caverns of "being an adult."

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We all know the truth is you can never go back, but I try to leave little nuggets of wisdom with students I encounter. Ultimately, it's everyone's personal journey - I get it - but I wish I had someone who had pushed me with more specific, goal-driven, and/or meaningful advice. I was never told I couldn't do anything, but being told, "You can do/be whatever you want!" wasn't exactly helpful either.

Funny enough, I've sat around plenty of my friends who also wish they had a some brilliant piece of wisdom shared with them; and it got me wondering if it was there, and maybe most likely I just wasn't paying attention. With the world spinning faster and information shared in a matter of seconds, I just hope students these days are paying attention to the right things.

And, if not, the world will soon enough force them to; and they'll be joining the rest of us jaded individuals at Happy Hour.

I hope you'll share your own thoughts below, 

because I can't be the only one, y'all.

(**With Amanda R. during our Summer '07 adventure to Greece.)