Top 5 Regrets After Franciscan University | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Student Life

Top 5 Regrets After Franciscan University

Hindsight is 20/20

366
Top 5 Regrets After Franciscan University
Pinterest

We all finish things in life and end up regretting actions and their outcomes in hindsight. The college experience is one that people commonly look back on and lament over. I particularly have 5 things I regret about my time at Franciscan University of Steubenville, and I think I am not alone with some of these.

Friends

The shared plight of most college graduates is having to say goodbye to the many friends they have made over the years. I particularly pride myself on my ability to socialize and I ended up befriending a large number of people at Franciscan. In 2016, I ended up graduating with my Associates and then a year later with my Bachelors. Not only did I have to say goodbye to close friends once, but I had to do it all again a second time this last semester. What made it worse was I inadvertently formed some of my closest college friendships my very last semester and saying goodbye this time was one of the hardest things I have had to do. It's not that I regret meeting them, but I regret finding myself in a situation that in the end hurt my heart a great deal.


Money

I left Franciscan University in more debt than I initially intended. Many people know that the University essentially scammed me into another semester by holding a transferred history core against me and then changing their minds after I made arrangements to return. Because of that, I added a large sum of debt to my grand total. I also entered into repayment on my loans much earlier than I should have because the class I needed was only available in the spring and taking the fall semester off sent me into my post-graduation grace period. I look back on my time at Franciscan, and although I staunchly believe that it was worth it, I am left with a hefty price to pay. When you’re trying to pay for college, students will put the repayment in the furthest place of their mind. That first day you are home after graduation though, the harsh reality sets in. Ignoring the inevitable is no longer an option, and finding a good job haunts your dreams.


Holy Shaming

I felt like an outsider for a long time at Franciscan University, mostly because I was not as educated in my Catholic faith as the numerous theology majors. I originally intended to finish with a minor in theology but ended up not having enough time to complete it. I ended up finishing my last semester still feeling inferior to some, and not part of a solution to this clear problem. I regret not seeing this issue at the school sooner and making more of an effort to correct it while I had the chance. It wasn’t until my last semester that I had the courage to address holy-shaming in an article for the Odyssey, and even still feel like it fell on deaf ears. My deepest hope is that over time, Franciscan will make an effort to extinguish this elitist mentality plaguing the student population. I leave the school knowing I will not be the last to feel like a bad Catholic because of holy shaming at my alma mater.

Relationships

It goes without saying that people hope to find their future spouse in college. I searched, for a long while at that, and I ended up feeling more alone in the end. Several failed relationships and broken hearts left me discouraged and wondering: “What if?” I had really hoped to find a good Catholic girl at Franciscan because the struggle to do that in California is real. I look back at my time and see many missed opportunities with incredible young women who I only wish I could have pursued while at Franciscan. Alas, I am graduated and home, wondering if my chance to meet someone slipped through my fingers without me even realizing it.

Faith

I think many people can say unfortunately that their faith was a priority when they first attended Franciscan University. It was by far one of my greatest concerns when I first chose to travel nearly 3000 miles for college. It was a priority and my first few semesters I was absolutely on fire. Somewhere along the line though, I ended up stalling out in my faith life and I left Franciscan wondering why. I can say that my feelings toward the University didn’t help, and that staying longer made being there more tedious than a blessing. I just wanted to leave, and I shut myself out from much of the faith community because of it. I understand why this happened, but I deeply regret it. My faith is so important to me and I wish I could have left Franciscan on a better note in regards to my faith. I know that my faith journey is never over and that I will definitely improve over time, I just regret not utilizing all that Franciscan had to offer while I had the resources available to me.


If you're a grad from Franciscan, what did you regret most? If you're still attending, what is it that you don't want to regret? My advice to those who are still there: Regret is bound to happen, just let the positives outnumber the regrets.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
students
Sophia Palmerine

Dear High School Friend Group,

My sweet angels, where would I be without you guys. We all grew up together because we either met in middle school or high school and watched each other grow up and get "old." We got to go to prom together and then graduate together. Then watched each other as we continued our lives in college, joining sororities and meeting people who will impact our lives forever. It all has happened so fast.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

College In Gifs

Because we are all sad Jim Halpert

786
head on desk
Wise GEEK

Oh college, we can’t live with you, but we can’t live without you. It’s a love/hate relationship, really. College is an experience that no one can ever prepare you for, and maybe that’s a good thing. You never really expect any of the things that college encompasses until you are there. College is fun, but don’t have too much fun. C’s get degrees, but they don’t get you into graduate school.

Keep Reading...Show less
Blair Waldorf

The "Gossip Girl" series may be over, but Blair Waldorf's iconic character lives in our hearts forever. Blair was the queen of the Upper East Side, and a character you either loved or hated. She taught us everything we needed to know about life, love and of course, how to score a Chuck Bass. So the next time you feel a bit lost and are in need of guidance, look no further than to the Queen B herself.

As I spend my Sunday avoiding my homework and other adult responsibilities, I realized that I've watched this series over and over about a million times. Sadly, there isn't a Blair quote I don't know, so I came up with a list of a few favorites. You know you love her...xoxo

Keep Reading...Show less
class
Odyssey

College is an endless cycle of crappy, sleepless nights, tedious, boring lectures, and hours of never-ending piles of homework.

Keep Reading...Show less
two women enjoying confetti

Summer: a time (usually) free from school work and a time to relax with your friends and family. Maybe you go on a vacation or maybe you work all summer, but the time off really does help. When you're in college you become super close with so many people it's hard to think that you won't see many of them for three months. But, then you get that text saying, "Hey, clear your schedule next weekend, I'm coming up" and you begin to flip out. Here are the emotions you go through as your best friend makes her trip to your house.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments