Regrets of College Graduates and Lessons Learned

For many individuals, college is a time for personal and professional development. However, as we look back on our experiences, we often discover moments that, in hindsight, we would have approached differently. Let's explore the regrets expressed by various graduates and the valuable lessons they have learned along the way.

The Voice of Experience

Not Meeting the Academic Expectations - Alex, a college graduate from 2016, shares, 'I just didn’t have the discipline and therefore wasn’t able to complete the program in four years. It didn’t matter in the end. I finished in one extra semester then attended grad school for another semester to stay near my girlfriend. We have been married for 41 years.'

Alex's story highlights the importance of maintaining discipline and time management skills, even when faced with unexpected obstacles. Graduates who respect these values frequently fare better in their academic and professional pursuits.

Interpersonal Relationships and Academic Choices

The Drawn-out Interpersonal Scenarios - Another graduate, Lily, reflects, 'Mostly, my messed-up interpersonal relationships. Academically, it would be the semester I spent student teaching. It was an unpleasant experience and demonstrated that teaching was not the career for me.'

Interpersonal skills are crucial in any profession, and learning to navigate challenging relationships can be invaluable. For aspiring educators like Lily, choosing a field that aligns with personal interests is imperative to professional satisfaction.

The Pursuit of Academic Excellence Turned Sour

College Misadventures - Mark, a Y-20 graduate, shares his story, 'I took a class in business and the teacher spent more time talking about himself than the subject. On the last day of class, we turned in our last assignment and got an evaluation of the teacher. I was honest and said what I thought. He had us put the assignment on the desk next to the evaluation. I was a straight A student and had done extra work to keep my great grades. He gave me my first C and I was surprised but then I thought about the way he took our last papers. He matched up our tests with our evaluations and punished me for it. Next time I’ll shuffle the deck.'

Mark's experience serves as a reminder of the importance of speaking up for oneself and standing up against unfair practices. It also underscores the need for educators to maintain professional integrity and fairness in the classroom.

The Impact of Unexpected Events

Lost Opportunities Due to Circumstances - Another graduate, Akhilesh, shares his story, 'Unfortunately, I am a Y-20 graduate and I regret many things from my college days. Started college in 2016. So during my initial years I was getting used to the college environment, pace of academics, and balancing between academics and sports. In my 2nd year, where I have started to get the zest of college life, people started talking about building resumes and internship preparation for different types of roles and packages. Then came the 3rd year and the battle of the internship started. Sudden you get to see many groups around you that were formed based on similar interest in profiles and packages obviously. I was shocked and started getting bad dreams that, what if? Things went well when the internship was just ended and suddenly there was the placement buzz again. People were have kept everything aside and started preparing for the final battle of placements. Suddenly you started to see some soulless body roaming around chartering the different companies packages and their probable chance.'

Akhilesh's story illustrates the pressure and expectations that often come with the college experience. The sudden shift from academic pursuits to job hunting can lead to anxiety and stress. It's essential to maintain a balanced perspective and not let fear of the future overshadow the present.

Lessons Learned and Moving Forward

The Power of Reflection - Despite these setbacks and regrets, these graduates remind us that even difficult experiences offer valuable lessons. As Akhilesh concludes, 'But things don’t always go how you think. We all were at home for Holi and were very excited to come back and make the last two months memorable but then we heard the news of the COVID-19 spike in India and due to which our campus was closed and with that our dreams too.... It’s almost a year and while writing this answer I am missing and regretting that we could have enjoyed more if we all would have been living in the present rather than think a lot about the future.'

This reflection emphasizes the importance of living in the present and making the most of every moment. College is not just about achieving academic success but also about personal growth and creating memories that last a lifetime.

So, whether you are currently in college or a recent graduate, take the time to appreciate the present, set realistic goals, and balance your academic and personal life. Remember that while regrets are a natural part of life's journey, they can also serve as valuable lessons to guide you towards a more fulfilling future.