MAY 2006 :: ON CAMPUS

Waaaaaaa!
I Don't Ever Want to Leave College, but Now I Know I Can

By Caitlin J. Noris
Special to The Wall Street Journal Classroom Edition

I don't want college to ever end.

In fact, I'm considering failing a few classes so I get to stay longer. I'm jealous of all the freshmen I meet because they've still got three years, and I've only got a few days left. The impending realization that I'm never going to get to sign up for new classes actually makes me cry. Someone's going to have to drag me kicking and screaming down the graduation aisle. My cap and gown might as well be funeral clothes.

I really, really don't want to graduate.

But it's not up to me. I'm 22 years old and a few final exams away from being a college graduate. That means no more waking up at noon and going to bed at dawn. No more scheduling classes so I've got Fridays off. No more going out Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and occasionally Sunday night. No more meeting new friends and taking new classes every semester. I've got to get a real job-one with a 401(k), insurance benefits and paid holidays. A real job that makes me work 40 hours-or more-a week. Save me now!

I'm graduating with a double degree in English Writing and Political Science. Thanks to my liberal-arts degree, I'll be entering the job market with plenty of transferable skills, like research, writing, public speaking and organization. Yet college is about so much more than classes, tests and job skills. My college experience taught me lessons about life, and that knowledge is surely more valuable than any course ever will be.

Lesson 1: Don't be Afraid to Ask for Help Life is a struggle. Whether it's a struggle to get along with your roommate or a struggle to pay the bills, there will be rough patches in life. That's not being pessimistic; that's being honest.

I went into college thinking I had to do it all on my own. I thought being independent meant going at it alone. Now I see that it's normal to need some sort of help, whether it means getting a tutor, asking an upperclassman for directions or taking out a loan to pay for living expenses. Sometimes it's difficult to ask for help, but don't be afraid or ashamed to. Freshman year can be a difficult transition, so seek out whatever kind of support you need. Every college has tons of helpful resources-like counselors and other mental-health professionals, fitness instructors, computer technicians and academic tutors-that are free to students.

Lesson 2: Know When to Say 'Enough is Enough!' Similar to knowing when to ask for assistance, knowing when to say "stop!" is also important. It's easy to get overloaded with activities during freshman year. Check out the clubs, organizations or fraternities/sororities that interest you, but don't get fully committed until you know how much time will be involved. Furthermore, take some "easy" introductory classes during freshman year, and save the harder classes for when you've figured out how to best manage your time and study habits.

During freshman year, I backed out of an internship after realizing I would have to commit more time than I was willing to. Don't feel too guilty if you begin to feel overloaded and quit something. Just make sure you politely explain why you're quitting; most people will understand.

Lesson 3: Follow Your Gut I've learned that little voice that whispers advice is often right. Too often, we fail to trust our instincts and rely on others to make decisions for us. There's often truth to third-party opinions, but take the advice others give you with a grain of salt. After all, only you know what's best for you.

At the same time, if something feels wrong or dangerous to you, it probably is. Don't major in something because your parents want you to. Don't stick around at parties where you feel uncomfortable. Don't hang out with people you don't trust. College will be a waste of time if you don't follow your heart.

Lesson 4: Maximize Your Time Take chances and try new things. Don't be afraid to introduce yourself to new people. Take a class because it sounds interesting, not because you simply need the credit. Join a club or intramural sports team.

I have no regrets regarding my college experience because I know in my heart I never held back. I studied abroad in Germany. I traveled to Canada, France and Spain. I vacationed with my friends in Florida and Mexico. I found my best friends. I gave people my trust without making them earn it. I let myself fall in love, twice. I studied hard and played even harder. I worked three jobs at a time. I spent almost all of my money, and you know what? That's all right with me.

You are in charge of your college experience. No advice I can impart to you can fully prepare you for it. Just remember that you'll go from a high school student to a real-life adult in the space of four short years-and the speed with which college passes will blow you away. Be excited about these changes, not afraid. Keep honest to yourself and others. Live your life fully. Good luck.