Whether you spent your college years counting the weeks until you receive your diploma or living in the moment hoping your graduation day would never come, there are likely a handful of moments you never want to forget. Many college experiences are once in a lifetime moments, from finding your best friends in a campus organization to experiencing another culture via study abroad.
On Greek Life
Many college students opt to join a sorority or fraternity to expand their personal and professional networks while being introduced to new opportunities and experiences. In fact, for the 8.46% who did join a Greek organization, they enjoyed their experience with no regrets. But Greek life is not for everyone, including the 59.3% that did not join Greek life and don’t regret their decision. For those who aren’t interested or don’t have the option to these organizations, many students find comparable college experiences through other campus events, such as joining a club or sport. No matter what you choose, avoid falling into the 2.65% of students who reportedly regret their decision not to join the Greek life.
On Studying Abroad
For some students, studying abroad is a defining component of the college experience. On the other hand, those who didn’t participate in this coveted college experience are more likely to say they wish they had. For example, 42.3% of respondents say they did not study abroad in college, but they wish they had. Studying abroad is a powerful cultural experience, but for those eager to branch out and not able to take a full semester away, many colleges offer several on-campus learning opportunities.
On Attending School Sporting Events
Studying abroad isn’t the only area where many college graduates regret not participating. Another 16.6% did not attend sporting events but if given the chance to do it over again, they would attend a few games. Sporting events are a great way to build school spirit and meet new people, even if you aren’t invested in the final score. As they say – you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take!
On Traveling
Of all the college experiences that respondents wish they would have done in college, travel takes the cake as one of the biggest regrets. Nearly half (42%) of the graduates who were interviewed did not travel during college but wish they had. At the time, students may have been faced with time or monetary restraints that made adventuring difficult. Luckily, there’s time to travel throughout the rest of your life, so rest assured the world will be waiting for you when you’re ready.
The good news is that the majority of respondents don’t have many college regrets. Over half of people say they either enjoyed what they did or don’t regret not participating across all areas. So, if you’re a current or prospective college student, try to get as much experience as possible while staying true to yourself and you’re sure to be satisfied with your college engagements for years to come.
