Reflecting on my college years

I'll never forget when I was in my most recent internship, I was told by a cubicle-mate to "enjoy my college years, because they go by so fast." It took everything in me to not laugh in her face. For several reasons: the first being that this was in the last 3 months of my senior year; the second, being that I was doing a full-time paid internship, averaging a 50-55 hour work week and taking a full load of night classes -- I was no longer your "typical" college student. I was a full-time employee just like her, except I didn't have time for happy hour, I didn't receive benefits, and I wasn't guaranteed a paycheck after my 12 week term was over. I realized my identity as a college-student no longer had any real meaning. No frat parties, no social life, no time for anything but work and school. In fact, I had been doing summer classes, internships and volunteer work for so long, I didn't know what a "college experience" was supposed to look like. I just gave her one of the smile-and-nod responses, and listened to her talk about how "big girl jobs suck" and how she'd "give anything to be back in college." Secretly, I was thinking, "you have no idea who you're talking to."

But do I have regrets? Absolutely not. I have learned so much about myself, my work style, my strengths and my weaknesses. I learned how to be scrappy. I learned how to get the work done, and I got used to making sacrifices for "the work, the work, the work." I met my best friends and my wonderful boyfriend through those busy years, and I wouldn't trade any of it.

I can't help but wonder, though. Should I have taken more time to invest in something not work/school related? Yeah, I pursued my study of the Spanish language, and in the early years I taught ESL classes and baby sat some precious Spanish-speaking kids for a non-profit. But what do I like to do? I like to have great conversations about good creative work. I like to ask people about brand affiliations and perceptions. I like to learn and read the Wall Street Journal and Fast Company.

But don't think that I'm not well-rounded. I am. I'm a spare-time musician, amateur fact collector, lover of professional and college football, MLB and UFC. I dabbled in combat arts and playing the mandolin. I know a lot about the army, the holocaust and American art. I'm incredibly adaptable and curious.

With each passing day, I learn more and more what college doesn't teach you. That I have so much more to learn. So much to learn, and only one life to live.