Dear Graduation Season: I Wish I Could Go Back to College

Dear Graduating Class of 2010,

Let me give you some words of wisdom no one had the balls to tell me: Most of your dreams won’t come true. You probably aren’t going to land your dream job within the next few months, let alone the next few years. You will get that piece of paper that claims you are smart and guess what? People won’t give a shit. And many of you will have thousands of dollars in student loans to pay back. Ain’t that a bitch?

I was visiting a college friend for her birthday last weekend and we both agreed on one thing we’ve learned over the last five years since we donned a cap and gown: we wish we could do it all over again. I was lucky enough to meet a great group of girls freshman year in my dorm and I still keep in contact with most of them. I never thought five years out we would be using the overly used cop out, “I’m so busy,” but truth is, we are! We all have our own lives, some of us are married or have significant others, careers, school, fledgling blogs like this one…

All of the busy-ness doesn’t take away from the times we shared at Quincy University though. It was where we grew up, fell apart and put it all together again. It’s where we had too much fun, if that’s possible. It’s where we learned and loved and walked away from it all, and each other, after just four short years. Going to a small school is so much different. Although it was annoying at times having everyone knowing everyone’s business, I’m glad I didn’t go to a big school where I was just a number. But if I could, I’d go back right now, with the same people and live it up. Skip class to drink over at the fraternity house all day on St. Patrick’s Day. Stay in St. Patrick’s Day senior year to study for my statistics test…no wait, take that back. That was the best St. Pat’s ever. I could go on and on about past college shenanigans, but this post would never end! I remember hearing high school were the best years of your life. Ha! College kicked high school’s ass, fo sho!

I think this is the first year since I graduated I was able to read about ceremonies and see people in caps and gowns without crying. I’m not a big crier by any means, but it was such a significant time that I can’t help but remember it fondly and be sad because it was so short. It was the most formative period of my life and I’m even grateful for all the mistakes I made. I learned early I get kicked down and always fight to get back up, even if it takes me a while. But eventually I make it back, stronger and more kick ass than before.

Also, check out the song, “I Wish I Could Go Back to College,” from the musical Avenue Q. Even if you’re not a show tunes’ person, you’ll find it spot on!

Share some of your own college experiences!

Sincerely,

Blogger Dearest

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