With August right around the corner, it’s hard not to reminisce on the old undergrad days, or wonder what lies ahead for you in your college career that you’re about to embark on. Speaking as a graduated undergrad from 2018, there are some things I wish I could have changed, or done differently during my years in college. I’m not trying to tell you what to do during college, as it is truly a time to find who you are as an individual. But these are 10 things I would have differently in college. Hopefully you can relate to a thing or two, and possibly learn from my mistakes to make sure you make college worth it for YOU.

Number 1: I would have gone to a party or two

Even though I classify myself as an extrovert, I am pretty shy around new situations. Partying is not a typical “Diane” thing for me to do. I truly find comfort in my routine and being with my husband (at the time boyfriend). But there are times where I got serious FOMO because I missed out on a party that I saw on Instagram. It shouldn’t bother me that much when I miss a party, but I feel like I was missing out on the true college experience of drinking bad alcohol, listening to bad music and hanging out with good people. At the time, I was really content with coming home after class and spending time with my pup and boyfriend. But I would be lying if I said I wish I never went to a party in college.

Even if you don’t like the party scene, give one party a try. At least you can say you went to one!

Number 2: I would have made more of an effort to make friends + hang out with my friends

As a girl who was in a committed relationship in college, I fell suit to the classic “gets a boyfriend and forgets her friends” phase for a while. I felt bad that I would be missing out on spending time with my boyfriend, when I could have been getting fro-yo with my friends after a late night study session. Even though I didn’t live on campus, I feel like I could have made more of an effort to make plans with my friends that I had. Most of the friends I had through college were made either in class, or where I worked around the school.

I honestly wish I would have made more of an effort to make friends in college, and stick my nose in instead of staying back and watching from afar. There were a lot of school functions that I walked through on my way to my next class. But I could have taken time at one of those school functions & stopped to make conversation with like-minded peers.

Number 3: I would have participated in an extracurricular activity or two

Transferring to a university after being in community college for two years was definitely a transition that took some time. But there are so many extracurricular activities that exist in community colleges + state universities, for all interests and niches. Each campus can have activities that are unique to the interests of those at the campus. For example: there was a bowling club at East Carolina University (my Alma mater), and I feel like it would have been so cool to learn bowling skills in a pressure-free environment.

Extracurricular activities are great to put on your resume during your college years. So don’t be afraid to explore your interests and possibly find new things to get interested in!

Number 4: I would have explored my options with different college campuses

Once I found out I was accepted to ECU, there was no doubt that this was the school I wanted to transfer to. After talking to my husband, he helped me notice that I was kind of stubborn about not exploring my options with other college campuses in the state. We were living the Charlotte area of North Carolina at the time and Greenville, North Carolina is at least a 3 hour drive from Charlotte. So we weren’t close to family at all, and it was a journey to pass through Raleigh in order to come home for a holiday.

Truly, I wish that I explored more local college campuses instead of being stubborn and wanting to live my own life far, far away from where my parents lived. If you are thinking this way currently, just remember that you don’t lose family when you go to college. They will still be there for you during your college years, so cherish them as if they are still living in the same house as you. I made this mistake, and which I spent more time talking to my family during college and possibly could have visited home more often.

Number 5: I would have tried to find different housing

Finding affordable housing that isn’t in the ghetto is like finding a needle in a haystack when it comes to looking for housing for college students. Since I was looking for housing as I was not currently living in the city, it’s hard to know where you are living and how far it is from the campus until you are actually visiting the city you will call home for the next 1-4 years.

Try your best to talk to those who are currently attending the university you are looking to attend, and scope out where are the places you should & shouldn’t live. I made the mistake of not knowing that our apartment was closer to the science campus than the main campus, where all my classes ended up being at. Also, we ended up living in a neighborhood that was next door to Section 8 housing. Nothing is wrong with Section 8 housing, but it made me be a little more conscious about my safety when I was walking around my area. Just be safe, y’all.

Number 6: I would have waited to buy my textbooks

I should have listened to the countless people that said “wait to buy your textbooks!”, but I wanted to get ahead of the curve and get my textbooks before class started. I learned the hard way, after not being able to return hundreds of dollars worth of textbooks, that some professors don’t require you to buy the textbook (even if the syllabus says you do).

You wouldn’t believe how many professors can be understanding of the financial burden students are given when it comes to the textbooks they have to buy every semester. Professors will work with you, and give you tips on where to get the cheapest version of the textbook, or how you can rent it from the library at no charge.

Seriously consider your options when buying your textbooks for your classes. I would suggest waiting until after Syllabus Day (typically the first day of class) to get your textbooks. There could be students that have taken the class before, and offer the book to you at a far cheaper price than buying it brand new or used. Look at your options, seriously!!

Number 7: I would have taken more interesting electives, like guitar or swimming class

You heard me right! My Alma mater offered guitar class & swimming class, and I didn’t take them!! It still makes me a little salty that I missed out on an opportunity to learn a new school, while getting school credit for it. Like I mentioned earlier, every campus is different with the electives and extracurriculars that they offer. It depends on the student population, and also what is available to use around the area.

For example, there was a green way near my campus with a river that ran alongside it. And I could have enrolled in a kayaking class that would have taught me Kayaking 101. That’s a class that you can’t really learn from a textbook - you learn from experiencing.

Learn from my mistake - take a cool elective! I assure you that you won’t regret learning a new school while getting school credit. It’s pretty awesome.

Number 8: I would have tried to go out on a Friday night

Friday night was the typical “bar night” in the city of Greenville, where the downtown streets were alive with people and club music that shakes the glass in your car as you drive by. Much like going to a party, I feel like I missed out on a college experience by not going out on a Friday night. There is something unique about going out in your college town, and experiencing the night life firsthand.

Even if you don’t like mindlessly dancing and drinking alongside those that you might not remember the next morning, at least you can cross off “Friday night clubbing” off your bucket list.

Number 9: I would have taken more pictures

Pictures may seem cliche at the moment, but you will cherish those photos you forced others to take with you when your future children ask “what were you like in college?”

Instead of telling stories, have a picture to help you tell the story with more context. Honestly, I have a pretty poor memory, and I could have remembered more things if I snapped a picture during all of the commotion. Try to take as many pictures as you think is reasonable, in order for you to remember those college memories you will only get to experience once or twice in your life.

Number 10: I would have gone to a school event

Even though my Alma mater wasn’t necessarily good at football, there was always a huge student turn-out at home games. I feel like I missed out on a true college experience by not going to school events such as football games. There’s a sense of camaraderie you get when the entire student section is rooting on your team for the win, and celebrating the win afterwards. Pre-gaming was also a big part of going to a school event. I wasn’t super keen on day drinking but hey, to each their own.

Was there anything in this post that you related to from college?

Maybe you have another thing that you wish you could change from your college years?

What questions do you have for me about college? I would love to answer them!