Things I Did in College That My Kids Will Never Experience

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Ah, college days! A time full of wild adventures and unforgettable moments that I often reminisce about. It’s true what they say: “There’s a time and place for everything, and that’s called college.” I was a quirky kid in high school—too nerdy for the popular crowd, yet not nerdy enough to fit in with the geeks. But then came college, and it felt like I stepped into a vibrant world where I could finally express myself.

The late ’80s and early ’90s were a whirlwind for me. Unsure of my future, I explored various majors, drifting toward a degree rather than charging forward with a solid plan. College was all about living in a bustling apartment with a constant flow of new faces, surviving on a diet of coffee, ramen, pizza, and the cheapest beer I could find. I wrote papers at ridiculous hours while sipping on peppermint schnapps. I even found myself hauling laundry back to my childhood home once a month, crashing in my old room until Mom’s coffee woke me up. Late-night debates on politics, religion, and the latest episodes of Melrose Place became the norm. I took German classes, only to realize years later that the only phrase I remember is “Schadenfreude.” Oh, and there was that memorable night when a drunken friend showed up at my door in nothing but a trench coat.

My love for college led me to a career in higher education, which sometimes makes me feel young but often sends me racing to cover those pesky gray hairs. Nowadays, college life has transformed dramatically, largely thanks to technology. Many of my college experiences would seem utterly foreign to students today. When I share my stories, the work-study students in my office often look at me like I’m some pioneer from the past.

Here are just a few things from my college days that today’s kids will likely never experience:

1. Registration Lines
   Back in my day, the buzz would spread like wildfire when the semester schedule was released. We’d rush to the Registrar’s Office, grabbing printed schedules and huddling together in the sun or a cozy café to discuss our options. Meeting with quirky advisors who quoted Hunter S. Thompson or had unique license plates was part of the charm. Registration day was a rite of passage; if you had credits, you got to register earlier. I vividly remember standing in line, daydreaming and people-watching, all while wishing I could snag that last seat in a popular class. Today, students can simply log in to a mobile-friendly website and register from anywhere. No more lines!
2. Hallway Grade Checks
   Ah, the thrill of checking grades! Professors would post grades outside their offices, and we’d gather to see how we fared. The anxiety and excitement were palpable as we scanned for our names, which were often displayed using social security numbers. Today, we know better about privacy and identity theft, but back then, we just wanted to see that “A” or “B.”
3. The Race for the Dorm Phone
   My college apartment had a shared phone, and we had to rely on it for all our communication. No cell phones! I remember waiting impatiently for a call from a crush while my roommate chatted away on the line. The anticipation of checking the voicemail light was something else. If only texting had been an option back then!
4. Resume Paper
   As a college student working at the career center, I often heard the importance of using high-quality resume paper. I remember painstakingly printing my resume, battling printer jams, and feeling the frustration of typos. Nowadays, most hiring is done online, and physical resumes are becoming relics of the past.
5. Reconnecting on Social Media
   While this isn’t strictly a college memory, it’s worth mentioning. Many of my college friendships faded after graduation, only to be rekindled years later when I discovered Facebook. Finding long-lost friends from my college days felt like a mini-reunion. Today’s students, however, are connected from day one, so they miss that nostalgic thrill of rediscovering old pals.

The list of things we experienced in college that our kids won’t is long. While I can’t say whether they’re still making friends to buy them beers or pulling all-nighters, some aspects of our college experience have faded into the past, and perhaps that’s for the best. I certainly don’t miss standing in lines or dealing with paper jams.

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In summary, while college life has evolved and many of our cherished experiences may no longer exist, the heart of the college journey remains—filled with friendships, late nights, and unforgettable memories.