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My Four Years In College Aren't The Best Years Of My Life, And That's OK

I don't agree with the following statement, and I'm perfectly content with that.

Eric McInnis

May 08, 2017

Arcadia University

My Four Years In College Aren't The Best Years Of My Life, And That's OK

The Campaign for Free College Tuition

"College is the best four years of your life."

Right there is a quote I'm sure everyone has heard at least once in their life. And it's understandable why they say it. When freshmen go to college, they are in control for the first time. They choose the classes which interest them. They figure out what they really want to be when they grow up. They discover things about themselves and who they are as individuals that they didn't understand or recognize until they were on their own independently.

However, if college is supposedly the best four years of my life, then the rest of my life's going to suck. Now I'm not saying my freshman year was bad. Far from it. I had good classes, great professors, cool new friends, the works. I learned what I like about independence, what I don't like about independence, and what I need to improve upon in the future.

But it's important to understand how ludicrous the very idea of college being the best time of my life really is. The average male life expectancy in the US is around 77, according to the World Health Organization. Currently, I'm 19. While I might be lower or higher than the number, let's say I die at 77. As of now, I have 58 years left on this Earth. In that time, I'll have a career, meet interesting people, find new hobbies and interests, get married, travel around the country or possibly the world, and so much more. College has a lot of fun benefits, but I doubt I can do all of the things listed above, and even if I could life would be pretty darn boring.

So no, I don't believe college will be the best four years of my life. But I'm content with such a belief. The great thing about the human experience is how unpredictable it can be and how it defines itself by moments. Some of the best parts about college have been many of the things I've listed before, but there are so many parts of life which are as great, if not better than the moments people will experience or have experienced in college. So while I doubt college will be the best part of my life, I'm not gonna be upset over that fact.

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My Four Years In College Aren't The Best Years Of My Life, And That's OK

I don't agree with the following statement, and I'm perfectly content with that.

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Or at least try to do.

1. I will wake up (sorta) on time for class.

2. I will look decent for class.

3. I will go to the gym more.

4. I will go to the library and study more.

5. I will meet new people.

For those long nights that turn into mornings when the struggle is real.

1. Walk in motivated and ready to rock

2. Disappointed you let it get this bad

3. Distracted: When a 10-Minute Break Becomes an Hour

4. When the Yearning for Sleep Sneaks Up

5. In the words of Lorelai Gilmore "Coffee, Coffee, Coffee"

Oh, so done.

You need sleep, but also have 13 things due in the span of 4 days.

1. When it's December 1 and you have seven things due, three exams, and haven't slept in three days.

2. So you stress.

3. And cry.

4. Then call your mom to cry some more.

5. After the pep talk, you feel determined to get everything done.

6. But, now you're tired.

7. And really hungry.

8. Suddenly, it's 2 a.m. and you have only written three sentences and your paper is due in the morning.

9. You've made it to Friday... somehow.

10. Then Sunday hits and you find yourself back at the Lib.

11. So you cry some more.

12. But, you fight through the tears to get everything done because you're determined.

13. In the end, you feel on top of the world because you made it through the last week of class alive.

14. But, now it's finals week so good luck.

The ultimate list and gif guide to a college student's brain during finals.

What does the world outside the library look like?

Can I read this entire book tonight?

I should have gone to class more often.

Did the professor even teach this?

What is the lowest grade I can get on this exam and still pass the class?

Should I just drop out of school now?

Finals are ruining Christmas.

Just wrote three sentences so time for a break.

Need. More. Coffee.

What is sleep?

I'm too stupid for college.

Brain hurts.

Time for a Facebook Break.

I think I'm dying.

When will I ever need this information in the real world?

I can't read any of my notes.

I need my mom.

When was the last time I showered?

I need study snacks.

The struggle is so real right now.

"I want to thank Google, Wikipedia, and whoever else invented copy and paste. Thank you."

1. I'm so tired. I need a nap. Maybe I can sleep with my eyes open in class? Or pretend I'm not napping?

2. We have a test today? Why didn't anyone tell me? Did I know this?!

3. Can I quit school yet? It's only October, and I need a vacation.

4. The struggle is so real.

5. I'm so broke. SOS.

6. Stressed? Eat everything you own in your pantry and stuff your face with all your feelings.

7. "Did we have anything due in class today? Homework? Quiz? Test?" "Not that I know of..."

8. I need food. Where is the closest place to get food? I need it stat.

9. This is the longest day of my life. I need a drink, or two, or three.

10. Sleep? What is sleep? What a foreign concept.

11. When someone suggests going and studying in the library, let alone studying in general.

12. When the cafeteria or student center is packed and you can't find a seat anywhere so you literally have to sit in an abandoned corner.

13. When you see someone you used to hook up with. They see you, and approach you; so you have to pretend like everything is normal.

14. When you get your exam and realize you didn't study as much as you should have.

15. When you crush it on an exam or paper that you totally bullshitted.

16. I need a grande, extra strong coffee to get me through today.

17. When the professor announces you have a project due the following week with no instruction on what it's on and how to do it.

18. Is it Friday yet? Where's the weekend when you need it most?

19. It's freezing in here. I feel like I'm sitting in an igloo. I should have brought a jacket or worn long pants.

20. Did I remember my book? Damn, I forgot the book, and of course I need it for that quiz in class.

21. I would pay a million dollars to not go to class today; or actually never again.

22. I need a hoverboard to ride to class. Maybe then I wouldn't be running 15 minutes late to class every day.

23. Oh she/he's cute! I wonder if they're single. Who are they texting? They're BF/GF? I wonder if they think I'm cute. Could they be a potential new bae?

24. Why is there never any parking? I pay thousands of dollars a year for one parking spot to be open.

25. When it feels like you've been in class for an hour and you look at your phone and it has only been five minutes (I'm crying on the inside).

26. When the professor asks if there are any more questions at the end of class and someone raises their hand.

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