In less than two months, I will be graduating from the University of Rochester. While this is an exciting milestone, I cannot help but feel nostalgic. Lately, I have found myself thinking about late nights in the library, random side quests to College Town, and long days spent laughing with friends. Every so often, I catch myself wondering about the “what-ifs” and how things might have been different if I had made different choices as an underclassman.
Don’t get me wrong: I do not regret my college experience. If anything, I feel proud of how much I have made of my time at URochester. As graduation gets closer, I have been reflecting on some of the biggest lessons I have learned over the past four years.
1. Grab every opportunity you can
One of the best things about college is how many opportunities surround you. I remember feeling overwhelmed as a first-year student by just how much was available on campus. There were so many clubs to join, jobs to apply for, classes to sign up for, and research opportunities to pursue. At times, I wished there were multiple versions of me so I could do everything. I strongly believe college is the time to explore your interests and discover new parts of yourself.
As an underclassman, I was very focused on being a pre-law student and mostly pursued opportunities that fit neatly into that path. This meant joining Mock Trial, taking mostly political science classes, and doing research in the political science department. There is absolutely nothing wrong with sticking to one path, but looking back, I wish I was a little more adventurous. I could have taken a music class or tried something simply because it sounded cool. One of my friends took a class on The Beatles, and as someone who is a big fan, I still think about how much I would have enjoyed that.
That is part of why I decided to do a Take Five next year, where I will study Brain and Cognitive Sciences and Linguistics. I have always been interested in language change and its implications on identity. I realized I did not want to leave college without giving myself the chance to explore that curiosity. Sometimes, the opportunities that shape you most are the ones that do not fit into the plan you originally made.
2. Advocate for yourself
College can be difficult, and there are definitely times when you need to take a break. One of the most important things I have learned is that you have to advocate for yourself! No one knows what you need better than you do. Whether it is asking a professor for an extension on a homework assignment, asking help from a TA regarding homework, or reaching out to your friends for support, advocating for yourself matters a lot and goes a long way.
I think most students enter college believing they have to figure everything out on their own. I definitely felt that way at times, especially as an overachiever in high school. I figured things out mostly by myself, so what’s different about college? Over the years, however, I have learned that seeking guidance is is not a weakness. It is actually one of the strongest things you can do. We all need help at some point in our lives.
Some of the best opportunities and experiences I have had came from taking the chance on myself.
3. Sometimes… just say yes
Not every meaningful part of college comes from meticulous planning. Trust me, I would know, as someone who loves her Google Calendar way too much. Some of the best memories come from the moments you do not expect: the spontaneous late night food run to College Town and even that one random conversation with someone who later becomes one of your closest friends. College flies by so quickly, and sometimes the best thing you can do is say yes to an opportunity presented to you.
Of course, you cannot do everything there is. However, I have found that some of the most memorable parts of college happened when I allowed myself to be open to new people and new. Sometimes saying yes leads to memories you will carry long after graduation, and that’s the beauty of saying yes sometimes.
As my time as a college student ends, I keep coming back to this: college is not just about checking boxes. It is about growing into yourself. It is about learning what excites you and what kind of life you want to build.
If there is one thing I would tell an underclassman, it is this: let yourself fully live this chapter while you are in it.
Life lessons from a senior
