College is a significant time of growth. From the age of 18 to 22 you know you have matured and you are feeling full of life. But we must remember nobody is perfect and you may have made one or twenty thousand mistakes. We are young and if it is not too bad we can get over it. After 3 years in UCD I have learnt many things that students shouldn't do. Stupid things that colleagues, friends, acquaintances and myself have done in the passed can be avoided. Hopefully by highlighting The Stupid Things In College You Should Do Differently, this will help those fellow students out there to side step such decisions. Do as you wish, but reading this may cause you a bit less heartache.
1) Signing Up For Loans/Credit Cards
Just because those three students on that bank's Las Vegas advertisement are having the time of their lives does not mean you will. If you don't have a steady income, or a part-time job to go back to, this is rough territory. Think of how broke you will be when you come back from your holidays, you don't want to have this hanging over your head months on end. At first you will think you are rolling in it, blissfully unaware of how colossal the interest will be.
2) Getting Too Drunk
Now, here, I am not one to talk. But it has been pointed out to me through my college years that getting too drunk isn't the most attractive of moves. Luckily I have never gotten myself into too much trouble while drunk but it could happen. Drink as much as you wish, just make sure there is a friend there to help you if you fall.
3) Being Unfit
If your college has a free gym, you may feel more inclined to go. When I was in UCD I went a good bit and now that I'm finished there I haven't been once. You will notice that once 3rd year college hits, a lot of people, who have never gone to the gym before, will go a lot. You will regret it if you don't at least try, so, get down to that gym fast.
4) Swearing Too Much
As I'm sure you have noticed from my articles, "sh*t" is a word I use quite frequently. But I never knew I swore so much until someone pointed it out to me. Just be conscious of what you are saying because, once you are in the habit of it, "f*ck" will be every second word. And, please God, do not use the C word. It is as harsh as it is vulgar.
5) Worrying Too Much
It is good to be a bit worried, so then you will get your work done, but no need to go over the top. Yes it is tough. Yes I'm sure I just "wouldn't get it". But calm down. You are going to get nothing done if you are worrying about every little detail of your life.
6) Not Spending Money On Experiences
If you have saved any cash try to spend it on things you will remember in the future. A holiday, a J1, hell, even a sky dive. Don't look back in 20 years time and think "I have absolutely no memories of my college days."
7) Not Going To College Balls
Yes, some can be a let down. And, yes, it is such a trek to get all dressed up but you have to go to at least one in college. Even just to say you have bloody gone to one. They are expensive so make sure you choose wisely.
8) Ruining Friendships Over Guys/Girls
If you think that you are going to marry a boy you have met in college, you are more delusional than I thought. Here, you could be with the one in a million who does stay with their college sweetheart, but it is highly unlikely. Don't ruin or end friendships over such a relationship occurring. Either let the relationship run it's course or if you have the opportunity to get with a guy or girl your friend likes, simply, DON'T.
9) Not Having A Pet
The love you can have for a pet is like no other. We love them because they are adorable and loyal and, let's face it, they can't talk back to us. I would highly, highly, recommend having a pet in college. Whether it is at home or living with you, you will not regret having that dog or cat in your life.
10) Not Raising Money For Charity
At some stage or another, even if it is running a marathon or buying a ticket to a charity ball, donating money or volunteering is essential in your college years. Even if you are the most selfish person on planet earth, it will look good on your CV and you will be helping people who are less fortunate than yourself. Most people want to help others in their lifetime, so join in and do the same.
11) Leaving It Too Late To Look For Future Employment
Your friends may not be discussing it with you but they are looking for jobs for after college and you don't even know it. Don't expect someone to walk up to you on the street and say "hey, you there, would you like a job with a €50,000 a year entry level salary?", it isn't going to happen. You need to perfect that CV, get talking to the right people, going to the right career days, and applying for jobs non-stop. Even if you think no one else is looking, they are lying to you and properly already have a job up their sleeves.
12) Not Working Part-Time
Even if you are working only one day a week, do it. Part-time work may not seem like much but it will show future employers that you didn't sit around all of your college days getting hand outs. Ireland and the UK's job applications are not like applying for a job abroad, they will ring your references and find out if you are lying. And, a babysitting job is better than nothing.
13) Getting In Trouble With The Guards
It may have been funny at the time to moon that guard on Harcourt Street, but, your time spend in the police station waiting for your parents to collect you was not the Friday night you wanted. And your new criminal record, no matter how slight it could be, could prevent you from going to the states. So, behave and remain quiet around the police.
14) Naked Pictures
Listen, avoid these and you will be fine. You don't want your future employer to google your name in 5 years time and see that naked picture you sent to "the love of your life" that you haven't spoken to in over 4 years. Keep it together and avoid those nude selfies.
15) Not Taking Enough Photos
I know with the world of Facebook we now have all our photos on file. But don't forget to print some of those photos out from time to time. You don't want to have virtually none 10 years down the line. This may be too much for the fellas out there but us girls love our group pictures.
