Recently, I published the post How I Graduated From College In 2.5 Years With 2 Degrees and Saved $37,500. While I did graduate quickly and there are benefits related to that, there are things I missed out on by rushing my college experience.
Now I wouldn’t say I had the worst college experience, but I also wouldn’t say it was the best college experience in the world.
I understand that you can’t go back and change the past, but sometimes you can help others learn from your mistakes.
Below are some of the things I would change about my college experience:
I would have started paying off my student loans while I was in college.
While I did pay off my student loans quickly, I didn’t really put much towards them while I was actually in college.
Instead, I worked full-time and put most of my money towards things I shouldn’t have been spending on, such as for clothing and restaurants. It was a huge waste of money, and I can’t help but bang my head on a wall when I think about how much money I wasted.
Truth is, no one remembers your outfits and spending all your money on fast food is just stupid.
If I could do my college experience differently, I would have gone to a cheaper college.
I love the undergraduate college I went to, but sometimes I wonder why I was so stupid and didn’t just go to a state school instead. Luckily I learned from this college mistake and I went to a state university for my graduate degree. It saved me a ton of money and I still earned a quality degree.
While I did save money in certain areas, such as through cheap textbook rentals, taking as many college credits as I can, and more, I definitely could have saved a little bit more money.
I wish I would have taken more classes that mattered in order to have a better college life experience.
Instead of focusing on just classes that were needed for college credit, I wish I would have taken more time to carefully select my classes. Instead, I just took what I needed and what fit perfectly into my work-life schedule, and never really went beyond that.
Knowing what I know now, taking a broader range of classes would have been more enjoyable.
I would have taken college more seriously.
I had a great GPA when I graduated from college, but I didn’t really take my classes too seriously. I was so focused on working, that I didn’t really focus enough on college. This meant I often skipped classes in order to work, I would often try to debate whether or not I should do homework or if I should sleep, and more.
If I could go back, I would have attended more of my classes and learned how to budget better so that I didn’t have to work so much.
I would have liked to be more active on campus.
99.9% of the time, I would just go to class and then go straight home or straight to work. I never stayed on campus except for just a handful of times.
If I could go back, I would be more active on campus. I would have joined more school clubs, stayed for college activities/games, and more.
Studying abroad would have been a fun college experience.
The university I went to has satellite campuses all over the world, and I wish I would have taken advantage of that. Instead of being so focused on making money, I’m sure I could have done something in order to take one semester off from work.
I should have made some college friends.
Since I was so busy with working and going to school, I didn’t make any lifelong friends from college. Yes, I am Facebook friends with a few and I would talk to people during my college years, but that is not the same.
Instead, I stuck with my same group of friends from when I was in high school (however, none of us went to the same high school). I love them all, but I’ve even had people tell me to my face that it must stink to not have made any lifelong college friends.
It makes me wonder “What if?!”
What college mistakes did you make?
What would you change about your college experience?
Martin says
I wish I was more involved. I just wanted to graduate debt free and move on. I never joined any groups. I never got involved in sports.
Michelle S. says
I joined a few clubs, but I mainly only joined them so that I could put it on my resume.
Kathy says
I put myself through school at night. Took me 8 years and graduated debt free.
Michelle S. says
Yeah, I took almost all night classes as well so that I could work full-time. That’s what I regret though!
Jayson @ Monster Piggy Bank says
I would study more, make friends more, and be more active in organization. I would also want to take more electives that really fit my interest.
Michelle S. says
Same here Jayson!
Gina Horkey says
I went to college while in high school and graduated at 19 (turned 20 a week later;-). I also wish I would have been more involved on campus when I transferred to a University and that I would have traveled abroad.
I will urge my kids towards choosing a state school like I did and starting their generals while in HS or at a community college too though:-)
Thanks for sharing, I can totally relate!!
Michelle S. says
Sounds like we are alike! I graduated when I was 20, and I think that’s why it was so hard to do it all. When most people found out I was only like 19 whereas everyone else was between the ages of 22 to 30 in my night classes, I got shot down a lot haha!
Brittany@Fun on a Budget Blog says
Sometimes I think about how different the college experience would be if we just waited a couple of years to start. I had A TON of fun in college, but I think I could have accomplished that while working a temporary job for a bit and then I could’ve taken college courses a coupleof years later at a time when I could fully appreciate the opportunity for learning.
Michelle S. says
Yes, I think taking some time off after high school would help a lot of people. While I am lucky that I have my degrees that I worked towards, this is not the original reason why I went for those degrees. It just worked out well for me, but I know it doesn’t for others.
kammi says
I’m pretty happy with my college experience. One of my teachers told my parents they had a child who had spent EVERY penny well 🙂 No debt, three jobs, major and minors and even took classes at a nearby Ivy school while doing internships, working and being in several activities and getting to travel on a summer via a scholarship. Don’t regret a single thing but I wish there were SOME way I could have kept my little credit union account. I miss them so 🙁 I still try to live like a student as much as I can (no more ramen for me, though!)
Michelle S. says
I’m glad you are happy with your college experience! Mine wasn’t too bad, and I’m glad I rushed through it because it helped me achieve my goals fairly quickly.
Kasey @ Debt Perception says
I did it all wrong and would change my whole college experience if I could. I went to a for-profit school and majored in debt.
Michelle S. says
I’m sorry Kasey 🙁
Mrs. Frugalwoods says
I often think college is wasted on the young ;)! It would be fun to go back as an adult and know all the right stuff to do and classes to take, but such is life… I didn’t do a great job the first semester of my freshman year of college, but, once I got into the swing of things, I had a blast. I could’ve done the opposite of you–worked more and socialized less. I did have a little job and I graduated without any debt, but, I would’ve benefitted from making more money while in school. The best part of college for me was meeting Mr. FW and our other friends.
Michelle S. says
Sounds like college did you well 🙂
Holly@ClubThrifty says
I think most people wish they would have taken college more seriously. It sounds to me like you got a lot out of college. Don’t be so hard on yourself =)
Michelle S. says
Thanks Holly!
Robin says
I would have picked an entirely different major… But I did live on campus the first two years, and I think that made a huge difference in how active I was on campus and the amount of friends I made.
Michelle S. says
What major would you have chosen?
Robin says
Probably English Education instead of English Writing.
Michelle S. says
Interesting! I wish I would have taken some journalism classes. Big mistake!
Natalie @ Financegirl says
“If I could do my college experience differently, I would have gone to a cheaper college.” <– YES! There's so much I would have done differently if I knew then what I know now. The biggest, by far, would be to have gone to a less expensive school. No doubt my private liberal arts education and my top-tier law school experience were valuable, I wouldn't go so far as to say they were worth $206k in student loans with an income of $80k – not worth it at all.
Michelle S. says
If only more people realized this!
Amy says
I would’ve focused a bit more on my schoolwork. I don’t think I appreciated at the time what a great opportunity college can be to study and learn about all sorts of things.
I would’ve liked to have gone abroad or taken more “fun” classes, but my parents paid for college and didn’t think either one was worthwhile. I remember telling my father I wanted to take a pottery class, and he responded, “For $25K a year, you’ll going to take real classes.” Clearly he had strong feelings on the matter. 🙂
Michelle S. says
Aww that stinks, but that’s great that you had college paid for!
Adrienne says
I loved the school I went to and the experience I had but in hindsight, it probably would have been smarter to choose a less expensive state school rather than a private university. I also would have changed my major to something else. 18 year-old me was more focused on having fun and had no idea what I wanted to do with my life, but it came to a point where I had to make a decision. It might have been a good idea for me to take a year or so off before going to college to figure that out. Unfortunately, its too late for me but I would encourage others to do that if they’re not sure about a career path yet.
All that said, I met some amazing, amazing people and made memories I will never forget. I wouldn’t change my experience for the world.
Michelle S. says
Yes, a less expensive state school is what we should have both done!
Sarah says
I was way too involved in the campus life in college. I went to every hockey game, was president of a few organizations, involved in dorm life, etc. I wish I hadn’t been so involved and spent more time working and less time “being involved.” I’m still paying off my student loans (for a teaching degree that I’m not even using anymore.)
Michelle S. says
Sounds like you were very active! I don’t think I went to a single college game. That’s how lame I was!
Sarah says
I defiantly would not call that lame. Plus look at where you are now in life. You have an incredibly successful business and the kind of financial security that most people can only dream about.
Michelle S. says
Thank you Sarah. Yes, everything definitely worked out well. 🙂
Michelle S. says
I had no idea that you were in a sorority!
Michelle S. says
Thanks Karen!
Michelle S. says
Good job on paying down your student loans! It all starts now 🙂
Michelle S. says
Yes, I agree Lance.
Will @ FirstQuarterFinance.com says
I would have studied abroad. And I would have picked a cheaper school. Otherwise, it was pretty great!
Michelle S. says
Sounds like we made some of the same mistakes!
Newlyweds on a Budget says
I didn’t make really strong college friends either… and I also wish I would have started paying off my loans while I was in school.
Michelle S. says
We live and learn, right?
Mark @ BareBudgetGuy says
You did 2.5 what I did in 6! I could have saved more by doing a cheaper MBA, but my college memories are priceless!
Michelle S. says
Yes, they are priceless! I still had a good time, and I wouldn’t trade the friends I have for anyone else. I think that’s why it was hard to make college friends, I loved the plenty I had a lot already.
Jason says
The only mistake that really bothers me to this day is that I didn’t study abroad during one of the summer semesters. I was too worried about other things.
Michelle S. says
Yeah this is something I will be telling everyone to do when they go to college!
Alexis says
You resonate a number of things I wish I could go back and do over. I transferred from a 2 year school, but due to a double major and minor, I still spent four more years in college (at a private school at that!) I wish I’d both applied myself more and taken a different professor to score a scholarship that could’ve been (I wouldn’t have any loans right now). I also missed out on studying abroad and regret it with all my heart. Traveling is something I enjoy immensely, but trying to get the same experience as a college grad is a lot harder. Now where’s my time machine?
Michelle S. says
Yes, time machine please!
Emily @ Simple Cheap Mom says
I lived at home through university, so I definitely didn’t get the usual experience. I wish I would have been more active on campus as well. The only college friends I still have are the ones that I worked with afterwards.
Michelle S. says
I lived on my own during college, so I also didn’t have the same experience. Sometimes I wonder what living in a dorm would have been like!
Emma Lincoln says
I would agree with so many of these. I also graduated very fast, and missed out on a lot of things that make “the college experience.” And I would DEFINITELY go to state school! 🙂
Michelle S. says
Sounds like a lot of us made the same mistakes!
Chenell Tull says
Wow, I feel exactly the same way. Wasted money, should have paid loans during college, been more involved, dipped my toes in other courses…you read my mind 🙂 These things likely would have helped me figure out sooner what I realllly wanted to study.
Thanks for putting how I feel into words. Always have to be happy that those things happened though, otherwise we wouldn’t have had much debt to write about! 🙂
Michelle S. says
It sounds like a lot of us today feel the same way about college 🙂 Glad I’m not alone!
Connie @ Savvy With Saving says
I definitely regret not studying abroad. At the time, I was concerned about the money and a semester away from school but in retrospect, it would’ve been worth it.
Michelle S. says
Yes, I agree! I think it would have been well worth it.
Liette Seguin says
nice article. It’s informative.
Mathieu Lebrun says
I think it’s a great article. It’s worth reading
Kayla @ Shoeaholicnomore says
I kinda rushed through college too. I got done in 3 years while working full time. I didn’t take the time to be active on campus because I was working so much. I did make 1 life long friend from college, so I guess that’s good. But I know it could’ve been better.
Michelle S. says
Yes, same here!
Athena says
I would have also tried to study abroad while I could! I still think it would be an amazing opportunity and I technically could do it if I saved up money or freelanced. I just have to have income coming in at all times to pay my bills. 🙂
Michelle S. says
Yes, income coming in at all times is a must 🙂
cece says
I’m thrilled with my decision to go to a state school and commute for the last two years to save money but I really wish that I had more of a social college experience. I made one friend out of four years of college! It just wasn’t this awesome experience that I wish it was but I got the degree I went for and did it on the cheap.
Michelle S. says
Yup, sounds like a lot of us missed out on the social aspect of college.
Jayleen @ How Do The Jones Do It says
This is great advice for anyone beginning their college years! My daughter is just 14 but has the goal to go to Stanford. Hmmmm ….
Michelle S. says
Sounds like you have a smartie on your hands 🙂
Izy Berry @ Wealth Way Online says
I agree with basically everything on this list! I was so busy with family stuff that I don’t feel like I had the real college experience.
Michelle S. says
It sounds like a lot of us bloggers didn’t. 🙁
Jon @ Money Smart Guides says
When I was in college, ebay was new and it was easy to make money selling stuff on the site. If I could go back to college, I would have worked harder at making money off of ebay. I did a good job, but I could have made more.
Also, I worked a part-time job and they allowed us to invest in a 401k plan. I wish I had put some money into that. It wouldn’t have been a lot, but it would have been something to jump start my retirement savings.
Michelle S. says
If only we could go back in time 🙂
Lisa says
I definitely don’t regret where I went to college (even though I’m still paying for it). I’m more regretful of how I didn’t take college seriously my first couple of semesters. If I could do it again, I would have taken everything much more seriously and maybe even stayed a little longer for an MBA!
Michelle S. says
Yeah, I wish I would have taken it more seriously. I was just so focused on getting it done with that I didn’t get the whole experience.
Michael says
My list of college mistakes is far too long for a comment, bit as this was my last semester I can officially put it behind me and focus on paying my loans and moving forward!
Michelle S. says
Good job on finishing!
Alison at NOVA Frugal Family says
I think that I did the best with my college experience. I went to every class except one that I was studying and fell asleep in the book and when I woke up, I went to the class and waited outside to apologize to the teacher for missing the class..I know I was old before my time. I lived on campus so I was involved in a lot of the campus activities but I didn’t often go out to save money. I didn’t know how frugal I was going in to college but I didn’t spend any money which is my only regret because it often meant that I didn’t do some fun things with friends like going out for coffee or ordering pizza. I took as many classes that I could to get the most from the money and made a lot of life long friends. Sadness is that life gets in the way and I don’t get to see them much anymore.
Michelle S. says
Good job Alison! 🙂
Meg says
If I could do it all again, I would have studied at a technical college instead of going to university. I now have a useless degree and a huge debt to pay off. I’ve learnt, though. Now I’m enrolled in something sensible at a technical college. And I can study online, so i can still get on with my life. 🙂
Michelle S. says
Good job on realizing what’s better for you 🙂
PJH in STL says
LOL. SLU grad here; that debt tho. And they eliminated my degree program so my diploma has no cache. Ah well, I still get to work out at Simon Rec as an alumn. Enjoy CO.
Jenna says
I would’ve started at a community college or just got my degree there. Would have way less student loan debt and would likely have a great job with a great salary. I recently started my own blog all about career and college plans. I’m brand new to this, but I’m so passionate about helping others obtain an affordable education and a great career. I’d love it if you checked it out. 🙂
DNN says
Student debt taught you to be an entrepreneur. Be thankful that you started off struggling. I know what you’re saying Michelle. If we can all go back in time and change a few things.