Disclaimer: This is not the classic “Elite Daily” type article where I list you the “deep and important” yet extremely obvious things you’re supposed to learn in college. Rather, this is a set of random (extremely useful) qualities I have acquired throughout my time as an undergrad. They have made all the difference.
Yes, you learn those grand life-lessons in college like how to be an adult and common courtesy and studying and all that jazz. But you may also pick up some unusual traits that your parents didn’t pass down. Here are some of my personal growths that I acknowledged as I was brushing my teeth one day.
1. Drinking very fast
On those certain occasions where I want to casually sip on a drink at a social gathering, I have to physically force myself to nurse my beer. College has trained me to down my alcoholic beverage as if my throat were about to dry up like a desert. Whether it’s the classic beer funnel, hearing the faint “Chug! Chug! Chug!” chant in the back of my mind like I’m still a freshman at a frat party, or happy hour is about to end and I want to make sure I get one last drink for free, drinking alcohol fast feels like the only acceptable way. I’m not sure if this skill is beneficial to my future, but whatever.
Via: thematapicture.com
2. Being a nomad
If I combine the times my parents have moved since I’ve gone to college with the times I’ve moved to different living quarters up in Gainesville, then I’ve moved a total of nine times in the past three and a half years. Prior to that I’d moved just once in a total of 18 years. It’s safe to say that college has successfully forced me to adjust to the idea of keeping all of my belongings either in my car, boxes, bags, other people’s places or a combination of all of the above. Not to mention it’s helped me with saying goodbye to certain people and places.
3. Experimenting
I know this one sounds really overdone and typical but I promise you can take this any way you want. Basically, I mean that in college you can try so much more than you did in high school, whether its because you were scared, or maybe you just didn’t have time or freedom. Some personal examples I have include (but are not limited to):
- Trying new food like guacamole, shrimp, coffee, etc.
- Different hairstyles, such as the middle part and curling my hair
- Going to the gym
- Fostering two 4-month old puppies (that lasted a week)
- Being an anthropology minor (just because the classes are interesting)
- Doing an internship in something completely new/unfamiliar
Experimenting with no repercussions can range from having a one-night stand to spending a week in bed watching Netflix without having someone there to judge you about it.
4. Learning how to save/spend money
In high school I didn’t really understand the value of a dollar. Sure, I knew it was the equivalent to a McChicken, but I still had my mom paying for groceries and gas and other not-so-fancy things. Being a “poor college kid” is great for helping one adjust to being poor. From happy hours, online sales and stocking up on those dorm coupons they always give out, it doesn’t take long to learn the ins and outs of being cheap (Jewish friends also help).
Here’s a great example- On my friend’s birthday, she signed up for email lists of about 10-15 different restaurants in Gainesville, so that she could get birthday coupons. We sat in the Royal Village leasing office and printed out all of the emailed coupons she got for her birthday that offered free food or treats, and then stocked up our fridge with leftover Firehouse, Chilis, Moe’s, etc. Yeah, that’s how we celebrated her birthday, and it was awesome.
5. Quick memorization
As most people know, drinking alcohol can affect the part of your brain that creates memory. Luckily, college helps me exercise my memorization skills in a variety of ways. It’s different for everyone, but some typical instances include studying Smokin’ Notes before a test, repeating your student ID for school related stuff, memorizing everything on your fake ID for when the bouncer questions you or even deleting an ex’s number but memorizing his/her number so that when you’re drunk you can still text them. I’d personally say the insanely excessive amount of passwords I have to remember is my form of brain work- WiFi, ISIS, social media, emails, etc.
So next time a family member asks what you’ve been doing in college, what you’ve learned or how you’ve changed, now you have something to say besides “time management and organization.” But I mean… those are good, too.
