Missing out on College

Hey guys, I'm a junior and as I'm preparing for my college applications, one thing that comes to my mind is what I'll miss the most about college after I graduate. Any thoughts or experiences from current college students or recent graduates? I'd really appreciate hearing your insights.

Many people find that what they miss the most after graduating from college are the friendships and the ease of being able to see their friends regularly. In college, you're living with or near your friends, taking classes together, joining the same clubs, and oftentimes eating meals together. That level of constant interaction is something that can be quite hard to replicate in the "real world" after graduation when friends scatter to different cities, states, or even countries for jobs or further education.

The second thing that tends to be missed is having a flexible schedule. While there's certainly a lot of work to be done in college, there is generally offered a degree of flexibility in your schedule that you likely won't have once you start working full time. You can often arrange your schedule so you have classes only a few days a week, or so that you have large breaks between classes to relax, study, or engage in clubs or other extracurriculars.

Finally, many people miss the abundance of learning opportunities in college. While learning certainly continues after graduation, in college, you're constantly surrounded by new courses, lectures, cultural events, extracurricular activities, and intelligent, passionate people who all have something to teach you.

Do remember that while the transition from college to post-grad life can be challenging, it's also an exciting time filled with lots of growth and new experiences. You may miss aspects of college, but hopefully you'll also find a lot to love about life after graduation. Best of luck with your college applications!