I was recently considering how much I hear recent grads and people in general mention how they miss college and you should stay in college as long as possible. And it occurred to me that when people say this they never discuss how they miss class or learning but the experiences, the friends they made and the fun they had. That it's not actual college that people miss but the carefree lifestyle that comes with it. That got me thinking why is it that we lose this carefree nature when we graduate college and delegate it to a minor por tion of our life when we enter the working world for good. I've always found myself able to take time to be carefree and not let my worries control my life and bog down my demeanor. I only hope I continue this after I graduate this year. Although what is the source of the extra source of burden, heavyhearted-ness, and excessive worry that people take on when they graduate and move on to the next stage in their life? Is it simply the increased responsibilty that people aren't prepared to deal with or does entering the working world (and therefore more than likely a mundane repetitive schedule) something that most people simply can't be satisfied, so it literally drains their spirit.
I find it sad that so many people get so caught up in worries and concerns that they forget to love and enjoy life that they lose the carefree spirit that carried them all through college. Simply having and taking care of your responsibilities doesn't mean that you can no longer enjoy the little things in life, that you can't waste a night being stupid and staying up with a friend from time to time, making some dumb decisions(not irresponsible ones), or find joy in the most basic of games/entertainment. What it does mean is that you need to do these things more responsibly and make sure that you've taken care of your responsibilities and these things won't impede upon you getting what you need to get finished finished. It means that your all nighter might start a lil late so you can get that work report prepared, that the games you play may not be in a dorm with your best pal, but at lunch in the break room with your best pal, that the thing you bought that you realized you can't afford and don't need can't take away from you paying your bills, and that your drinking binges need to be relegated to the weekends. Don't lose your playful lighthearted-ness and carefree demeanor simply because your responsibilities have increased and the world tells you that life just got real and you need to be an adult and do adult things. Instead find away to take your college lifestyle with you, I'm not saying don't grow and mature, but instead learn to integrate your old habits and way into your new life. Make these "childish" joys into life long pleasures and maintain that vibrant lively personality when you burst on to the college scene as a naive young eighteen year old who was ready to take over the world.
After all there is nothing sadder than someone who reaches the highlight of their life too soon, someone who hit's their prime to early to truly enjoy it. Life is supposed to be on a gradual incline, similar to a bell curve so that when you do reach your peak you have enough understanding to really enjoy it and when you begin your decline your prepared to embrace it. I can't imagine what it would be like to hit my prime too early I can only speculate that it would lead to alot of bitterness and frustration knowing that your best years are behind you and you'll never quite be as happy as you were. I find myself reminiscing alot remembering the wonderful times I've had and missing them for different reasons, but in the end there is always one common factor I always find myself looking to the future with delight for the joys and experiences that I will have. While I'm sure that my future holds many trials and tribulations, hard times, and worries I take solace in the simple truth that there are so many good things ahead of me and so much potential for great things in my life that the fountain of pleasures ahead of me washes aways any polluting spills of despair on my path. So I'm going to continue my life lightheartedly looking forward to every moment and continuing on with the swagger of a college kid. My only hope is that more people will do the same and stop living and worrying about what they don't have or can't do, and start living for and embracing what they can and might be able to do in the future.
