Is college supposed to be the best time of your life?

[Anonymous]

Yes

No

[DishLady]

😂😂😂
Sigh… well that’s certainly what it used to be called but with the college loan sharks beating at everyone’s door it quickly becomes everyone’s worst nightmare.


WHERE THE EXPRESSION COMES FROM:
Plato builds the first academy as a safe haven to explore ideas his mentor (Socrates) was put to death for upholding. Plato’s student (Aristotle) then comes up with the realization that learning at this level takes time and resources that not everyone HAS… that learning is A LUXURY… and he starts honing in on what we now call “practical philosophy”.


WHAT IT MEANS TODAY:
The “academy” is our version of college. It’s a safe haven to explore our ideas, values and interests, which is why it’s considered the “best years of our life.”


IS IT TRUE?
Yes and no. Academically it was nice to think about stuff other than what my family was telling me and it was amazing to have access to the libraries and travel opportunities and mentoring, but tbh only a small handful of teachers were valuable to me and only a couple of people in the people farm — sorry, campus — are still considered friends. Thankfully I was on scholarship and had the notion that I was there to work hard and earn my degree, which I did… but I met tons of folks goofing off on their parents’ dime (or worse, on the government’s dime). THEY were having the time of their lives for sure, however I’d urge you to recall the fable of the ant and the grasshopper… the hardworking little ant wins.

[Anonymous]

if college is the best time of your life, you probably aren't doing well in school and your chances for getting masters degree in the future, is very small.

college is a lot of work, especially if you want good grades. The exams are endless.

[ArrowheadSW]

After I transferred from a community college to a University, I lived on campus. In spite of it being hard, and in spite of some of the interpersonal issues, it still was what I would consider to be the best time of my life. I had a tough major and it was stressful. I had to study more than most. But meeting the friends that I had and hanging out with them in the free time that I had, was priceless. For several years after college, I still felt "homesick" for it.

[molonski2]

I think it certainly used to be , here when university education was free , now there is much more pressure to perform..

I did not see my kids enjoying the social element as I did , but not having a family of your own is a relief.

[AI Opinion]

College can indeed be an exhilarating time for many, as it offers new experiences, opportunities for learning, and personal growth. However, whether it is the "best" time is subjective and varies from person to person. For some, other life stages may bring greater fulfillment. Personally, college was an exciting period where I expanded my horizons and met lifelong friends, but I've found that every phase of life offers its own unique joys and challenges. It's about making the most of each experience and embracing opportunities for growth throughout life.

[thegreenyogi]

It really depends on what happens to you while you're in college. For me it wasn't a pleasant experience because outside circumstances made it stressful. But if you're lucky enough to be carefree without worries than it can definitely be a great time.

[Maybe_Maybe_not]

This so called best time changes for each person you're talking to lol. Some would consider childhood as golden age, for some it's high school, or college, or first jobs or maturity or any time period at all.

And what's even more interesting, the viewpoint of all these people may evolve as they progress through age ranges. So their perspective can be X at a set time and Y a decade later...

[zagor]

It is a time of opportunities, but for many people it is stressful as they find their abilities aren't what they thought, or their self-discipline is lacking. My old roommate talked about the experience of being one of the top students in HS and then going to Princeton where everyone had been there.

I had some great times in college, and other times totally whiffed on opportunities.

[Asker]

whiffed on what opportunities?

[Summeroflove]

Collage you’re usually poor paying off debts. You’re usually working a full time job or multiple part time jobs while also being a student full time. You’re exhausted mentally and physically juggling everything.

[RingOfFire]

It's supposed to be your time to learn about being an adult and productive member of a society who works hard so you don't become dependent on others, not necessarily the best time of your life, but one of the most important times yes.

[SotiCoto]

Either that or highschool, yeah.
I mean obviously everything after you're done with education is just the nightmare of raw, unfiltered reality... and it is hell.

[Asker]

yeah, people don’t appreciate that when you’re still in school it’s not really the real world. Your responsibilities are pretty limited. And it’s more important to have fun.

[EzraIsShy76028]

Not really. No time of your life is supposed to be the best. It's all completely subjective and varies from person to person.

[anon1903]

It's way less stressful than school, but not every person has the privilege to frolick around either

[andreasderjuengere]

That would be tragic: it would mean that after college you're going downhill.

The ''best time of my life'' is and was: tomorrow.

[AndrésC64]

Well, it depends on what you mean "supposed to be". Ideally I think it should be, but in reality I don't know how often it actually is.

[AngryCarl2]

For most people it's a necessary part of getting educated. If you can look back on college without trauma that's a bonus.

[seeyounexttuesday]

You'll never have more freedom, less responsibility, and a larger grouping of potential friends than you do on a college campus.

[zagor]

And for most of us, will never have less money.

[seeyounexttuesday]

@zagor you’ll have less disposable income, lol.

[noohair]

The most important time to learn a profession.

[Anonymous]

Maybe, depends on many factors, for some people it is the best time of their life.

[DrPepper12]

Yes. Absolutely.

[exitseven]

No. it is supposed to suck.

[exitseven]

I went to a commuter school and majored in something very difficult. I had trouble with the coursework and later had trouble paying tuition. I fell behind on the tuition and had to drop out.
i knew people that had rich parents and lived on campus and had fun for 4 years.

[Nikki1989]

That is a new one.

[Massageman]

It wasn't for me.

[Anonymous]

College is stupid.

[jahaims]

It would be pathetic if it was