On College, “Don’t ever leave”

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First off, let me begin by mentioning how much in awe I am about even writing this. When I was an undergraduate in college, you couldn’t find another student who hated just about everything associated with being a responsible student. Just like anyone else, I hated homework, I hated going to class (of the 165 credits I took, there were only about 15 that I’d say were worth the money), I hated projects, I hated the fact that my bookshelf was greater in monetary value than my savings account, and most importantly I hated the fact that I wasn’t making serious money.

Needless to say, I decided forgo the graduate student experience and enter the real world. I got a fairly high paying job, new car, and everything started to materialize the way I had planned.

And then reality sunk in.

Working is a never ending machine. Semester breaks, week-long holidays, etc. no longer exist. You are stuck in a vicious cycle of routine and monotony that can only be remedied with happy hour and the memories of the old days when being broke was not only socially acceptable, it was the status quo. You think you’re professors piss you off by giving you pointless assignments? Try dealing with an entire onslaught of supervisors who pass their work onto you and accept the praise when you do good work, or pass the blame onto you when things go sour.

“So what, you get PAID!”

First of all, between Uncle Sam and the rest of corporate America, you have no paycheck. As a student you never really feel their wrath, but that’s because they take it easy on students since they know you’ll be coming around eventually.

If you’re in school now, DON’T EVER LEAVE. I’m telling you right now that you’re living in a fantasy land, and the real world is waiting for you with a bloody guillotine so approach your post-graduation plans with extreme caution. Instead of complaining about how much school sucks, appreciate going out with your friends and getting so drunk that you can’t even remember the test you bombed yesterday morning. Savior all those house parties that made you glad you didn’t live there. Nourish the fact that you don’t have to pay to go to the gym, or sporting events, or that an hour long nap in the middle of the day is commonplace among you and your peers. Cherish everything that you love about being a college student, because once you graduate it all gets flushed down the toilet. Nobody will care about how good you are at beer pong, what frat you’re in, or how many shots you took on your 21st birthday.

It’s a harsh reality but it’s worth pointing out. Luckily, I caught a break and managed to get a job near my hometown so I’m still close to my friends that I’ve had since middle school, but don’t expect that. I know plenty of people who’ve had to relocate entirely and start over.

So stop complaining, do your homework, and go live it up because time’s ticking.

Food for thought — udothedishes…