First of all, let me quell all your fears.
I loved college. I think people should get as much education as possible. I'm even considering going BACK to college (eeesh). So I'm all for it.
But there are a few things that are a little left out of the college experience that I wish I had known before heading off into the big, scary world.
So hopefully my college friends can read this and be aware of what's to come!
1. College did not prepare me for the day-in, day-out of real life. Sure, you have to go to class and work, but those classes changed. Often. There were breaks in my schedule that I got to go home and relax, I didn't have to get up and get "ready" for the day every single day, I could wear a sweatshirt some days if I wanted. But out in the real world, I have to go to work whether I want to or not. There are no breaks longer than my lunch break, and even that is usually taken at my desk because I have so much to do. It's a routine that I've been on for longer than anything. And it taking some getting used to.
2. College did not prepare me for the sometimes tedious, monotony of a job. I LOVE my job. But I have to be honest, I'm doing a lot of very similar things, for 8 hours a day, 5 days a week, every week but 2 during the year. Now you may tell me, hey I did that at my summer job, or I did that with classes and homework. It's not the same. Not even close. Because summer starts and ends, classes change, long Christmas break comes, finals week breaks up the monotony. It is taking some time to get used to not just doing my job, but doing it every single minute of the day.
3. College did not prepare me for getting to bed on time. That's pretty obvious, right? But seriously. In college I stayed up way too late a lot of nights, and would just come home and nap later. If I do that now, I'm dead. I need at least 6 hours or I am worthless the next day, but I still have to go to work and struggle to stay away and get things done.
4. College did not prepare me for being away from home all day. In college I had breaks, came home during the day, etc. But now, once I'm out the door for work, it's see ya later until 6 or 6:30 PM. Every, single day. Some people do that for a semester, or for a few days during the week that are the "long days" but that's reality now. It's been a funny adjustment remembering that if I want to eat at work, I have to bring snacks and food, and if I forget my phone, it's tough luck.
5. College did not prepare me for always networking and moving up. College prepared me for networking to an extent. I made friends and contact that have and will be important. But at my job, I feel like maintaining every, single relationship and making it a good one is not only important to have a fun time at the office, but could be crucial for my future at the company. It's a very interesting change in my perspective about how I react, and respond to everyone and everything.
Let's again go back to the fact that I learned SO much in college and I loved every second of it. For me it was the absolute best choice, and I highly recommend it. Just be prepared that when push comes to shove, you might not be as prepared as you think for that first job in the real world. I wish I had known that, it would've made these past few months SO much easier.
I loved college. I think people should get as much education as possible. I'm even considering going BACK to college (eeesh). So I'm all for it.
But there are a few things that are a little left out of the college experience that I wish I had known before heading off into the big, scary world.
So hopefully my college friends can read this and be aware of what's to come!
1. College did not prepare me for the day-in, day-out of real life. Sure, you have to go to class and work, but those classes changed. Often. There were breaks in my schedule that I got to go home and relax, I didn't have to get up and get "ready" for the day every single day, I could wear a sweatshirt some days if I wanted. But out in the real world, I have to go to work whether I want to or not. There are no breaks longer than my lunch break, and even that is usually taken at my desk because I have so much to do. It's a routine that I've been on for longer than anything. And it taking some getting used to.
2. College did not prepare me for the sometimes tedious, monotony of a job. I LOVE my job. But I have to be honest, I'm doing a lot of very similar things, for 8 hours a day, 5 days a week, every week but 2 during the year. Now you may tell me, hey I did that at my summer job, or I did that with classes and homework. It's not the same. Not even close. Because summer starts and ends, classes change, long Christmas break comes, finals week breaks up the monotony. It is taking some time to get used to not just doing my job, but doing it every single minute of the day.
3. College did not prepare me for getting to bed on time. That's pretty obvious, right? But seriously. In college I stayed up way too late a lot of nights, and would just come home and nap later. If I do that now, I'm dead. I need at least 6 hours or I am worthless the next day, but I still have to go to work and struggle to stay away and get things done.
4. College did not prepare me for being away from home all day. In college I had breaks, came home during the day, etc. But now, once I'm out the door for work, it's see ya later until 6 or 6:30 PM. Every, single day. Some people do that for a semester, or for a few days during the week that are the "long days" but that's reality now. It's been a funny adjustment remembering that if I want to eat at work, I have to bring snacks and food, and if I forget my phone, it's tough luck.
5. College did not prepare me for always networking and moving up. College prepared me for networking to an extent. I made friends and contact that have and will be important. But at my job, I feel like maintaining every, single relationship and making it a good one is not only important to have a fun time at the office, but could be crucial for my future at the company. It's a very interesting change in my perspective about how I react, and respond to everyone and everything.
Let's again go back to the fact that I learned SO much in college and I loved every second of it. For me it was the absolute best choice, and I highly recommend it. Just be prepared that when push comes to shove, you might not be as prepared as you think for that first job in the real world. I wish I had known that, it would've made these past few months SO much easier.
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