“By then, the tuition had almost doubled.
“I went to a small Southern school that had a big Greek life.
I came from the North and knew nothing about it.
My school didn’t rush until spring, so I made some great friends that first semester organically.
We all ended up in the same sorority.
To each their own, but I wish I’d skipped over Greek life.”
“I regret not choosing the major I really wanted and wasting so much time because of it.
thewanderingcreators
3.
“I regret taking a ‘break’ after I got my AA degree.
By then, the tuition had almost doubled.
“I just wish I’d been more prepared.
Also, using tanning beds and smoking cigarettes.
College makes you feel invincible even though you aren’t.
I am still living with the aftereffects of poor health choices during college, and always will.”
malloryu2
5.
“What do I regret?
That it took 23 years to get a four-year degree.
College costs are freakin' outrageous.”
graytrees
6.“Honestly?
“I regret making partying my priority rather than focusing on my education.
I used to say my major was partying and my minor was men.
Thatgirl
8.
“I regret not taking advantage of free events, amenities, and activities.
A free gym membership, pool access, camping gear rentals, and more were extremely underutilized.
Also, I wish I’d participated in a sport or joined more clubs that interested me earlier on.
“I regret majoring in English with a focus on secondary education.
Cats4EverBoysWhatever
10.
“My biggest regret is going straight to a four-year university.
I just did what I thought was expected of me.
I cannot stress how miserable I was.
IF you go to college, do it because you want to.
And if you don’t want to finish, DON’T.
It’s your life, so do what you want with it.”
“I wish I’d been more involved in campus life!
I wish I’d pursued more internships, research opportunities, and showcases.”
fireferret19
12.
“Going to college.
Everything is so different now.
Unfortunately, passion doesn’t equate to a decent salary.”
But it took me years to realize that I was having sex with men for all the wrong reasons.
I really had to figure out how to respect myself and look internally for validation.”
Liz, 32, Missouri
14.
“I regret not understanding financial aid and student loans before taking them out.
I had scholarships and money saved, but I still ended up $150,000 in debt.
It’s made postgraduation life much more challenging knowing that a huge payment is due every month.”
“I wish I’d lived on campus.
I was so burnt out, though, that I didn’t go on to grad school.
I don’t know if I’ll ever forgive my parents or myself for that.”
Kara-Sha jones
17.
“I should have taken a year off between high school and college.
I was still 17 when I started my first semester.
I had debilitating depression and low self-esteem that prevented me from engaging with my peers.
“I should have gone to a small liberal arts college.
Since I’m an introvert, the large flagship state school was probably not the best choice for me.
I also regret living off campus and spending more time online than interacting with other college-age students.
I have exactly zero friends from undergrad whom I didn’t already know from high school.”
Jack, 40, Alabama
20.
“Not putting myself out there more when it came to dating.
It all worked out.
“My main regret is that I went to university with no idea that I was autistic.
gemface
22.
“I really wish I’d studied abroad.
Yes, you’re free to travel after graduating, but it isn’t the same.
Studying in another country alongside your peers is a special experience.
“I wish I hadn’t been so dead set on only one career path.
John, 30, Washington
24.
“I didn’t know what I wanted to do for a career when I got accepted into college.
I loved my school and the academics, but I hated my major.
It’s been 10 years, and I still regret it.
Regardless, it’s still annoying to pivot.
I wish I’d been pushed to do something more challenging.
I mourn for my lost potential.
At that time, I didn’t have the proper support and my life was very unstable.
I could have done better.”
“I went to an inner-city high school where I had amazing grades and won a full-ride scholarship.
When I got to college, I was so unprepared.
I got terrible grades; I had to retake a statistics class, only to fail again.
I got kicked out and lost my scholarship.
I had to do two years of community college before transferring back.
If I’d done that, it would’ve kept my GPA high enough to remain in school.
I could’ve kept my scholarship and avoided all this trouble had I only filled out a form!”
“It all worked out for the best, though.
I changed my field of study and now have my dream job.
Half Blood Princess
26.
I was obsessed with going to a ‘university’ as opposed to a ‘college,’ for some reason.
Second, I was a commuter student all four years, which I feel negatively impacted my social situation.
27.Lastly: “I have three regrets.
The first is that I didn’t start looking for a co-op as soon as I started.
I majored in engineering, and that made a huge impact on my ability to find a job.
They told me that finding a co-op could wait, but do it after the first year.
I regret not exploring clubs and activities outside of those I’d done in high school.
The last thing I regret is not taking photos.
But now I remember basically none of my college experience.”
Anonymous
Note: Some responses have been edited for length and/or clarity.
Dial 988 in the US to reach theNational Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
