The Things My Undergraduate Experience Taught Me
Coming up on a weekend where I am meeting up with friends from my Undergraduate years, I could not help but think back on the years I spent away at Oneonta. It almost feels like the time I spent there was so long ago. We graduated, everyone went back to their dispersed hometowns around the state, and we all, I guess, grew up and left our dorm room and microwave macaroni and cheese days behind. Even with changes in our routines, our schedules and responsibilities, and hopefully choices of food and alcoholic beverages, I find myself still learning from and appreciating the things I learned and experienced during those four years.
This one is for you, Oneonta.
Everything Is What You Make of It
You can go to college and party your life away and breeze through your classes, because “C’s get degrees,” as the hungover guy in my Accounting class would repetitively remind our class and professor. However, if you are smart and eager, every opportunity, small or large, has the chance to be a great lesson, experience and even story for your next family dinner or interview. For me, taking advantage of the clubs on campus, the homey upstate town that was Oneonta, and putting myself out there to meet new people at every turn were my greatest opportunities. Growing up on Long Island and not leaving much, I was now exposed to a completely different lifestyle. This lesson carried through with me to my Graduate years and career experiences. You can sit and finish your requirements and regular responsibilities, or you can take advantage of every learning and networking opportunity.
2. Distance Will Make You Appreciate MANY, Many Things
I promised myself I would never do a sappy post about the challenges and obstacles I experienced going away to school. Don’t get me wrong, going away was a great experience in itself…no Mom or Dad to fix every problem or cook every meal. But, I will say it made me appreciate time and close relationships more than ever. You realize just how much people mean to you when you can’t see them as often as you want to. You also learn who has your back, who cares, and who puts the time into a relationship when you are not right down the block anymore. I felt an overwhelming amount of love and support from afar, and that distance has grown so many relationships in my life. Time is limited, so appreciate people in your life, make time for people in your life, and always go out of the way to tell people you love how important they are. I never appreciated Facetime so much in my entire life, even when I had to repetitively explain to my parents that certain angles were just not attractive. I can’t thank the people in my life enough who hung in and stayed closed, even when I was far away. You know who you are.
3. People Will Surprise You
I consider myself an open-minded person, especially when it comes to meeting and learning about new people. I found that by exposing myself to diverse environments, I was able to meet and become close to people I never expected to become so close to. The people who started out as co-workers, the ones who sat behind me in class, the people who lived down the hall even from Freshman year, the strangers I got randomly placed with in a dorm room…it is almost bizarre to think how friendships were formed and maintained even past our college years. You really can’t judge a book by a cover, and you are missing out on some great stories if you do.
4. Perseverance is Key
I know, how cliche is this one. I found myself in a number of classes that seemed just never-ending. The homework assignments, the exams, the lectures that felt as if they would never end…they all made me stronger and more resilient. I can’t leave out the hard-ass professors who could just never give us a break. These classes and these professors really taught us to be strong, because in the real-world (whatever that is) every project will not be a breeze and every boss will not be your best friend. And, if you really want to succeed at something, you need to have the mentality of working hard and persevering (even if you have to take four economics courses and by the second one you’re so sick of it, and your brain and emotions and life hurt).
5. Enjoy Good Times
I think back on some of the most fun, hilarious and memorable days and nights during Undergrad. Whether that was out at a sticky bar drinking cocktails out of fish bowls with gummy sharks, working the night shifts at the student union, ordering crappy Chinese food or chicken rolls for wine night in, late night sub runs…I could go on. Working hard and taking advantage of your college time is one thing. But, making the most of the days in the dorms, with people from all around the state, laughing and drinking cheap wine…I will never forget these days.
6. You are NEVER Too Old to Call Mom & Dad
My parents rock. I had them on Facetime several times during the week. I was always filling them in on what was going on, the professor I was pissed at, the upstate winter. Even as a college student, trying to do things on my own, I really learned just how much I had the support of my parents. They were always a call away, and I always valued the advice they gave me (even if I didn’t always take it). Fast forward a few years, I am still grateful for every tip, piece of advice, and support they give me. You are never too old to get a little guidance, support and love from your parents when things just don’t go as planned. Thanks Mom & Dad.
I am forever grateful for my years away at Oneonta, and all the things I learned from being away, experiencing a new lifestyle, and meeting incredible people. I know that my Oneonta story will always be a good one, and one that I will still be able to grow on with the people I have met and still call friends and family today.
Bean
www.linkedin.com/in/sabinaruggles
@sabinaruggles
