My College Days Have Spoiled Me Intern Diaries

Though it’s a little off topic from my internship, I want to bring up how unprepared college makes you for some situations that typically happen after you graduate.

1) College never informed me I could be left alone by the end of my graduation year. Since I still have a semester to complete, my friends are starting to move on to bigger and (I guess) better things while I’m still stuck in Bloomington, IN, finishing up school (at Indiana University). Some are moving to different areas, some are starting higher education and others are returning home to save money. I realized the other day only a handful of my close friends are still living in Bloomington, IN.

2) College never taught me that the dream of moving to a big city and living a life like Lauren on The Hills is probably not going to happen. When I was younger, I saw myself graduating college, moving to Chicago or New York City and working my dream job. With a snap of a finger - it would just happen. But that fantasy is not real. Plus, moving to a big city right after college would be lonely and scary. Not to mention expensive! My dream was immediately smashed awhile back when I realized that a studio apartment in New York City can easily run over $1,000 a month. I don’t think my bank account would enjoy that much.

3) College never educated me on how boring life becomes when you start to “grow up.” After four years of college, my partying days and staying out late are over. With a job, an internship and bills, my social life has become quite dull. I used to look forward to Saturday nights hanging out with friends, and now I look forward to Sundays when I get to sit on the couch and have nothing to do. I remember making fun of how early my parents went to bed, but now I laugh at myself.

Although college educates and prepares you for future jobs, you’re rarely told that the life you have become so comfortable with over the past four years will drastically change when you graduate. Yes, I knew that there would be some differences, but I never knew how deep. Your surroundings change along with the people in it, and it’s quite overwhelming. I know I’m still young and have so much ahead of me, but I’m already starting to miss the way things used to be. I guess my college days have spoiled me.

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by Whitney Riggs