Besides academics and keg stands, what have you learned from college?

1. 72

   Rebeccasuttonposted 9 years ago

   I've been thinking of all the different skills etc I have gotten from my experience at college, especially being an adult student. What are some lessons you have learned? Values? Take aways?
   
   So far, living on the cheap and knowing the right people are on the top of my list. I know those connections are going to last a loooong time.

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   1. 60

      Silverspeederposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      I learnt that the notes of the lecturer can appear in the notebook of the student without passing through the minds of either.

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   2. 84

      tsmogposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      I reentered the scholastic arena at the age of 46 while working more than full time. I discovered change while changing my mindset. That change was people orientated rather than change of machinery or processes. It was then that I learned how to learn in an unfamiliar dimension. I learned how to listen. I learned most do not like to be wrong. I learned most like to be correct. I learned everybody likes to be right. I learned everyone is an expert. I learned there is only a difference between a liberal and a conservative when there is a subject at hand and it is always relative.
      
      I learned most assign a label based on a single exchange (social interaction, witness an event, observe a material difference, and etc.) at a given moment. I learned labels are funny having a life of their own and usually it is the label that is of importance. I learned labels can change.
      
      I learned life of any form or format does not exist until it is recognized as existing as life in a form and format. (There is not a gardener until there is a garden) I learned I do not exist until something or someone recognizes I exist . . . and that something can simply be life. (The garden changes - grows? therefore I am a gardener) I learned that cannot happen unless I do the preceding statement too.
      
      I learned anything is not the same something for another . . . until negotiated and agreed upon with sameness while knowing variance will always exist. I learned trust can be accepted or usurped and that affects faith. I learned the 'will to believe' is far greater than belief itself. I learned the 'will to believe' leads and belief always follows. I learned it is of greater importance to learn than to know.

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2. 72

   Rebeccasuttonposted 9 years ago

   amen!!!! It takes more than memorization or writing to acutally learn and understand the material!

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3. 81

   Shawn McIntyreposted 9 years ago

   Wow- there's almost too much to list.
   
   Above all else, I learned the importance of self-motivation and discipline; learning to "work now so I could play later". That has helped me more in life, both personally and professionally, than anything I ever learned in a classroom.
   
   Then you have the ancillary skills, like: working in a group (often with people who don't share your work ethic), learning to live on a strict budget, learning to become a veritable  Gordon Ramsey with a pack of Ramen Noodles, and learning how to live away from home.
   
   My experience was a little more unique, in that I was also raising a daughter on my own while I was in college. As a single father, I learned a few other things:
   
   ~ Cheerleaders make the best babysitters.
   ~ It is impossible to study when Teletubbies is on.
   ~ There is no good place to change a diaper in The Swamp (Ben Hill Griffin Stadium)

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   1. 89

      Patty Inglish, MSposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      This is fantastic advice! A+

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4. 89

   Patty Inglish, MSposted 9 years ago

   So many things, but I learned organizational skills -
   
   Working full-time and carrying a full course load (at upper limit of hours), I learned to read fast and do a lot of homework on the city bus.
   
   I always got up early in the mornings so that if there was trouble with the city bus, I could walk to classes in under 30 minutes. On nice mornings, I began to walk anyway and gain exercise, but took the bus to work later (much farther away).
   
   Happily, I also learned the best ways of studying to save time and learn material instead of memorizing.

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5. 70

   Sami Hansonposted 9 years ago

   I learned that no matter how healthy you want to eat, no matter how much you plan on cooking a home-made meal, you're only going to end up eating macaroni and cheese anyway.
   
   I learned that even non-traditional students (people who are middle aged that decided to go back to school) attend big Universities (not just community college).
   
   I learned that college Professors are more laid back than you would expect, and are also the only teachers you will have your entire life who are extremely passionate about their particular subject.
   
   I learned that there is no other experience that compares to living in a college town, and having your school pride echoed everywhere you go.
   
   I learned that despite the large population of universities, it still will turn into a damn high school reunion---- and you will constantly try to not make eye contact with people you graduated from.
   
   I learned that not all sorority girls are Regina Georges and not all frat members are drink drugging sleazes.

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