College is basically a four-year buffer between high school graduation and adulthood, but time flies, and college graduation approaches faster than expected. One minute you are moving into your dorm away from home for the first time and the next you are applying for important job positions. Just the idea of entering the working world may seem daunting, but when the time comes, you do not want to be drowning in regret of all of the things you could have done.
If I would have gone on that trip… If I had not taken classes that summer… If I had not been obsessed with graduating early…
Photo courtesy of Nicole Harrington via Splash
Graduate with no regrets, guilt free.
Instead of worrying about how you will be able to enjoy your final years while trying to juggle an internship and five classes, take time during the summer to travel, take a whole semester even.
You do not even have to stop taking classes. Study abroad offers so many programs, and whether you need electives or major specific classes, most of them are offered abroad. I encourage you, whoever is reading this, to value the amazing life experiences you could gain. These are experiences that could even contribute to your future corporate life.
I get it, you may like what I am dishing, but there are still hurdles in your way. If you are struggling with time management and the only semester available for travel is Summer, forget that internship and study abroad. You have the rest of your life to gain work experience, but your travel-time is limited.
Once you start working in your career field of choice, you may get wrapped up in what you are doing, and unable to take ample time to see the world. Not to mention the amount of money you will have to save up to do so. Right now as college students, we have the opportunity to study in another country with financial help. If it is money you are worried about, apply for scholarships and financial aid while you can.
I am a planner, which means I am a worrier. I have always had my academic career planned out years in advance. I even graduated high school with a degree, meaning I have cut my buffer years in half. The I plan, the more I realize that the end goal is graduation, but anything beyond that will remain a mystery until I get there. Do not get wrapped up in graduating early. Take time to travel, make once-in-a-lifetime experiences, and be bold. Photo Courtesy of Jordan Sanchez via Splash