What College Actually Taught Me

Jaclyn Clark Student Contributor, University of South Florida

Sydjea Watson Student Contributor, University of South Florida

This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at USF chapter and does not reflect the views of Her Campus.

Was there ever a time where I wasn’t told college was going to be the greatest years of my life? Thinking back I can remember my father telling me how college would be an amazing experience that would teach me everything I needed to know to be an adult in the real world. That college would set me up for a successful life full of great college memories to look back on, but what did college really teach me (and lie about)? As a new college graduate I ask myself this daily and so far this is what I can (honestly) answer.

1. Nothing is impossible

This might sound like a bad inspirational poster, but it’s true. As much as I thought that organic chemistry lab was going to be the absolute death of me, I made it through. A piece of my soul might have been sucked away while doing it, but I never once actually went into cardiac arrest or became a brain eating zombie from lack of sleep, although I have to admit I came close. Also, yes I can eat that whole pizza by myself. It is not impossible and I believe in myself. So watch me.

2. Whine and wine.

College taught me how to handle the lows in life. The best thing after a particularly hard test or stressful day isn’t powering through it, bottling it up, and eventually causing a breakdown in your car after not being able to find a parking spot at USF (because we all know this makes even the most patient person loose their cool). The best thing is to have a friend, sister, or significant other sit with you pour a glass of your favorite 5$ gas station wine and complain about how hard that paper was or how much you loathe your professor. Believe me, this still applies after you graduate as well, the only thing that changes is you up your game to the 7$ bottle because now you’re a fancy adult.

3. Patience is a virtue that I’m still working on

I must have spent a third of my 4 years at college simply waiting for something. A parking spot, a return phone call or email or, a professor to figure out the curve of that test everyone did poorly on, but whatever it was I waited. I can say I’m still not the best at this (after all, how hard is it to really return a text? Especially after I saw you read it at 11:26am yesterday) but I am better at it thanks to the lack of speed things get done with professors, deans, and overall anyone related to the operations of a university

4. Adulting: The real world edition

The idea that college turns you into an adult is the worlds biggest joke. At the end of four years of papers, classes, and free pizza in the marshal center they throw you out saying you’re an adult with a degree, you got this! Truth is, as much as you have your class schedule, thirsty Thursdays, workouts, and studying figured out adulting in the real world is so different. I still can’t figure out how to properly do taxes and I’m just praying that the IRS doesn’t show up at my apartment door soon asking what the heck am I doing. I also know now that this is fine and perfectly normal. A piece of paper doesn’t make you an adult. Only time and experience can.

5. Nothing will ever compare

I wish this wasn’t true, but it is. College taught me above all that it was everything (and more) my father told me it would be. Yes, I’m a college graduate. Yes, it was the absolute time of my life. I met people who changed me for the better, boys who broke my heart, but made me stronger. While it didn’t really make me an “adult” that’s okay, I have the rest of my life to learn how to do that, but college is only four years and it’s some of the best I have yet to enjoy.