I remember during the summer post-high school graduation, whenever adults found out I was preparing to embark on my college journey, they always immediately acquired the same look in their eyes, a look of nostalgia and envy, a look that said, “Oh, what I would give to be back where you are now.” Another thing I heard from everyone was to cherish the next four years because they’d be the best years of my life.
That’s a lot of pressure to put on college, a lot for MSU to live up to and enough to both terrify and excite an 18-year-old about to live away from home for the first time.
Now, as I begin my senior year, I’ve found that the “best years of our lives” is truly a weighty term, and one I don’t think is wise to prematurely attach to the college years. “Best years of our lives” says that life before college was never this good and that this is as good as life will ever get. I think that everything connoted by “best” stems from the fact that for the first time in our lives we are living free.
We’re free, first of all, from our parents. The first taste of complete freedom convinces us nothing could be sweeter. Taking advantage of life without the cautious eyes and wagging fingers of parents defined freshman year. By sophomore year we’ve calmed down a bit and realized that classes do take time and effort outside of the actual classes. Junior year, for me at least, was all attention paid to studying with a little time set aside for socializing, for sanity’s sake. Senior year seems that it will be chaotic and stressful, with the real world looming just nine months away.
Also, for the first time in our lives, we’re free to live selfishly. It’s up to each of us to decide what’s best for us, and then who’s to say we actually have to do what’s best for us? I’m sure by senior year we’ve all become quite proficient at justifying decisions to ourselves, regardless of whether they’re the right ones. After four hours of studying, I find that I’m easily convinced to take a video game break, even if I know what I need is four more hours of studying.
For those whose idea of a perfect life is being able to party every night and sleep through classes every day with no real feelings of obligations or remorse, I could see how these are the best years. But for most, college has just as many ups and downs as any period of life.
I attribute most of what makes college such an appreciated time to the fact that so much is defined during these short four years. Career paths are found, sometimes easily and sometimes after much trial and error. Some meet their spouses here. I’m inclined to say almost everyone does, judging by the recent barrage of engagement announcements by friends and acquaintances. And, of course, potentially lifelong friendships are formed.
Not only are such significant aspects of life determined, some lesser talents are discovered and honed in the college years. You might find that you have an unlikely prowess in the kitchen, and enlighten your friends or significant other with your knack for cooking. You might find that you can’t handle more than a microwave. You might find that paying bills on time, doing housework and grocery shopping aren’t as daunting as they first seemed. Regardless of what it is, you will find that slowly but surely, you are becoming a new person, separate from the habits and beliefs of your family. Despite the fact that this segue into adulthood is entirely new and exciting, I’d prefer to keep the mindset that life will continue to get better. After all, every phase of life thus far seems to be better than the last, except middle school, since middle school is just a miserable time all around.
So now, as I launch right into my senior year, sadness is not something I’m feeling or sorrow that the “best years of my life” are almost over. Apprehension and curiosity about what comes next, absolutely. And, of course, there’s that bittersweet twinge that comes every time I experience a last first, like the last first day of school and the last first football game of the season. Part of me is even feeling that familiar sting of senioritis, something I haven’t felt in four years. I have to admit, I’m more than antsy to see what else is out there.
College is truly an amazing time of life, regardless of how good of a time you have. It’s when you come into your own as a person, when you find what’s important to you and where your passions lie. So, while I shy away from calling college the “best years of my life,” I’m confident that I’ll always look back on my four years at MSU with fondness and appreciation.