I get a lot of emails asking me two questions: “What advice do you have for someone in college (studying design)?” and “What would you have done differently in college now that you know what you know?”
For awhile I would come up with some pretty solid responses. I would tell people how I didn’t really learn much in college, that it felt like a waste of money and to go to a school in a city where you could network! But as I started thinking about it recently…I decided to change my answer. I started thinking back on my college life and realized the following:
- I didn’t do well in many of my classes
- I didn’t really have school spirit
- I stayed up way too late and skipped most of my classes before noon
- I didn’t get an awesome internship my junior year
- I went to school in the middle of nowhere
- I didn’t love design like I do now
But here’s what I did do:
- I was making art with my hands. Painting. Drawing. Sculpting.
- I didn’t have much anxiety
- I traveled. A LOT.
- I took an insane amount of Photobooth pictures like the one above and then probably made out with Adam immediately after
- I met and lived alongside my best friends
That time for me was really precious. In a way – I am envious of 20-year-old me. I feel quite successful professionally but there’s something really amazing about that time in my life. Carefree, curious and adventurous. I want to incorporate those things back into my life on a day-to-day basis.
So the next time someone asks me about college (and what I would do differently), I’ll probably say:
Not a damn thing.
a CONSIDERATION
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10 Comments
September 26, 2013
Now, I realize that college was such a big step for me. I had just become paralyzed a year before, and college was my first big “my life will not be about this wheelchair” adventure that I knew I needed to take on. I was scared. OUT. OF. MY. MIND. And I wish I had it back sometimes.
Reflection is good. Both to appreciate what you have now, and to find the things that you may have lost about who you were.
September 27, 2013
I totally agree Carrie. Those moments (at the time) don’t hit us quite as hard until we look back on them. I admire you!
September 26, 2013
I feel split on this question.
I am not using the degrees I got or where I envisioned they would take me, but if I hadn’t made the choices I did I feel I wouldn’t have met some of the amazing people I know now (like my husband, which also led me to meet my best friends). So while I do feel like college can be a waste of time on your path to a career, it’s because of that waste of time that I got to where I am with the people I have in my life. And let’s face it, relationships make life that much better!
September 27, 2013
I’m using my degree (sort of..I mean I’m designing but I didn’t learn any of the things I do day-to-day in college) but I completely know how you feel. Relationships are priceless and I’m so thankful I met the people that I did (while skipping class haha).
September 26, 2013
Love this. Isn’t it crazy how everyone sees that experience differently and how you value it differently over time? I definitely feel that way about my time at college.
September 27, 2013
It’s crazy! I feel like I was a different person in college. I think that’s a good thing…
September 26, 2013
Middle of nowhere is an understatement.
I sometimes look back on those 4 years and think a) how in the hell did I not get kicked out and b) as much as I want to say I didn’t have a great time, I couldn’t trade that time because nothing would be the same.
In hindsight, I wish I could tell 19 yr. old me to value experience and adventure far more than anything else.
September 27, 2013
Haha…true.
And I like that. I think I would tell college Allie to keep doing what she’s doing. And be even more adventurous.
September 26, 2013
Oh, girl, I feel you on this one.
College I’d definitely a once in a lifetime experience and nothing else will ever be quite like it.
September 27, 2013
It’s true! I’m glad we realize that.