After working with kids for as long as I have, I've had far too many interesting conversations to keep track. Most of them make no sense at all, but it's always amusing to see the goofy smiles on the kids' faces as they rant on about something they find so interesting. Talking with adults is completely different. The conversations are forced and boring. We keep things simple and are too concerned with being judged or looking stupid. We could all learn some lessons from kids on the art of conversation. The crazier, the wackier, the more extreme, the better. Why have a boring conversation when you can have an exciting one? The following are direct quotes of what kids have said to me in the past week with the majority of them being conversation starters (talk about starting a conversation with a bang). And, let me tell you, we have a lot to learn from them:
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1. You feel like an elder.
When you started college at 18 you probably thought you were SO old. Now at 22 or 23 you realize that you still are not "old," but you are to the 19-year-old that may pop up in your classes. You seem like a grandparent to them, and no I will not buy you your alcohol or help you find a fake ID.
2. You may feel lonely.
Sure, you still have friends on campus. But your "squad" is no longer all there. You go from Thursday night pre-games and 2-for-1's to Skype dates to try to stay connected with all your friends. On a positive note, you are likely going to make new friends with other people who are in the same stage of life as you.
3. Senioritis is more real than ever.
You thought you had it rough this last year, yet this year you are more ready to graduate than ever. But, the real world still scares the hell out of you and you are low-key happy you had an extra semester or two to prepare.
4. You may feel a little down sometimes.
When you see your friends moving all over the country you may feel a little down as you realize you are doing the same thing you have been doing for the last four years. But it is important to remember that it is completely normal to not graduate in four years and you can do even more things to help prepare you for the next phase of your life.
5. Fear of missing out won't be as real.
At least in your college town, most things that are going on with your campus are going to be things that you have already done before. So, on nights you would rather lay in bed than go downtown, the FOMO will probably be much more toned down.
6. You are a college pro.
On the plus side of being a fifth year, you've got this whole thing down. You know the ropes of college: how to study, how to get in with your teachers, where to go on what nights. This is all old news to you and you've got everything down to a science.
7. You'll have more free time.
Sure, you can still be involved but odds are your social calendar just really opened up, AKA no more events you are going to be fined for if you don't go to. With all this extra time maybe you'll get a job or maybe you'll lay in bed. Ultimately, it is your choice.
8. You're happy you're still in school.
Every time you get on Facebook you see so-and-so from high school getting married, having children, etc. And while you're happy for them, you're happy being single and not having that responsibly and being in college an extra year doesn't sound so bad anymore.
9. You feel like a guru.
Odds are people in your classes will know you are a fifth year and know that you pretty much have the campus figured out so you are going to have to answer questions about where the best spots to study are, where to go for game days, etc. You may get annoyed answering questions, but you're still happy you've got the lowdown on everything.
10. You continue to grow.
You are going to learn more about yourself and for the first time since you came to college as a confused, excited and scared freshman you are going to have to get out of your comfort zone a little and make sure to make your (hopefully) last year your best year yet.
1. When dealing with people is too difficult.
2. When food is the best part of your day.
...you can't ever say no to it
3. When you meet new people.
4. When you're the third wheel.
5. When life is tough but you're trying to hold it together.
6. When you're the brunt of a joke.
7. When you're too broke for food.
8. When your judgment could be better.
9. When you're not great at socializing.
10. When honesty is the best policy.
11. When you accept your flaws.
12. When work is not going well.
13. When you skip the gym.
14. When you over think.
15. When you swipe right.
16. When you get a crush.
17. When no major life event is happening
Aubrey Plaza is one of my favorite humans in Hollywood. She's honest, blunt, unapologetic, and hilarious. I just started my sophomore year of college, and found that some of her best moments can accurately describe the start of the school year.
1. When your advisor tells you that you should declare a major soon.
2. Seeing the lost and confused freshmen and remembering that was you a short year ago, and now being grateful you know the ins and outs of the campus.
3. Going to the involvement fair to sign up for more clubs knowing that you are already too involved.
4. When you actually do the reading required for the first class.
5. Seeing your friends for the first time since last semester.
6. When you're already drowning in homework during syllabus week.
7. Realizing you don't have the same excitement for classes as you did as a freshman.
8. Going home and seeing people from high school gets weirder the older you get.
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