[Kayleigh]

I've been hearing from a lot of people lately that "these years are the best years of your life! Enjoy them!" (I'm 18 and a college freshman) but I'm really not enjoying it all that much. Is this really as good as it gets? If it is, I don't see much point.

[silver_queen]

Yep, I've heard that too. Of course they think college is just a haze of drunken parties, perhaps drugs, orgies, etc, etc. I think they forget that there is a lot of pressure to work and succeed, and if you don't do that, you get kicked out.

[SweetCrusader]

I think high school was WAY more fun than college has been, personally. But I also know that college can be a lot of fun, too. The key is to step outside yourself and get to know a lot of new people. I don't about you, but for me that is hard to do lately. Still, college really can be a lot of fun. And the nice thing about it is, if you're single anyway, that you're not tied down to any family and you mostly get to set your own rules and schedule. I, for one, really enjoy that freedom!! I love not having to answer to anyone but me.

Angela

[lenjan]

Trust me, I have a master's -- very little sucks worse than freshman year. Once you settle in, get used to the college way of doing things, meet some people, it picks up tremendously. Honest.

Then, when you are a middle-aged fart like me (I'm not old yet!), with a mortgage and a car payment and 3 kids, you will look back and say, "wow, that was the best time of my life." I agree with what Angela was saying. Imagine this: Unless you own your own business, after college you will NEVER AGAIN get to set your own schedule, until you retire. That, frankly, is what I miss most of all. I was not meant to be a 9-to-5er.

Hang in there.

Candy

[h0kie]

Yeah...college was pretty great, but I was in love and with a group of ladies who were very close. Actually, many of us still are. Give it a while. My freshman year was horrible...but the other 3 years made up for it.

[shakes]

Kayleigh,
My freshmen year was horrible and college for me was part of a mixed bag. When I found a group of friends to hang out with it was the greatest years of my life, but when they graduated or decided I was too much trouble I was very very alone. I know that it is hard and the only advice I can give is just keep trying. Immerse yourself into something whether it be a school club, school work, or making a real effort to go out and meet people.
This might not get easier if you do not have a social support or if you are bored. It seems that the only people who really think college is "party time" are the ones who end up getting kicked out after two semesters.

Stay strong,
Jessica

[Myzen]

Hi Candybear,

I have a master's too. I would be interested to know your subject. If you show me yours I'll show you mine!

Cheers.

Myzen

[lenjan]

Hehe Myzen, sure. I have a bachelor of science in communication from Saint Louis University and a master of arts in journalism from Marquette University, where I now teach part-time. My "day job" is a reporter for a small weekly in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. How about you?

Candy

[Myzen]

Candybear,

I have a BA philosophy and an Mphil philosophy by research into human rights. That makes me technically unemployable, so I have my own business in rare book dealing.

Otherwise I do reiki healing and read my poetry at 'poetry slams'. As my daughter says to me "You're a hippy guy, no getting away from it."

I did hanker after journalism, and I still do.

Nice talking to you.

Myzen,

[lenjan]

OK Myzen -- let's trade. Because I want YOUR life! LOL

Candy

[Wants2Fly]

The best years of my life were post-college, when I had a job that I really loved, money in my pocket, friends on and off the job. It was a lot like the TV show, Friends.

In Jr. HS, we had a teacher recently out of teacher's college. He said: "Everyone is telling you that these are the best of years of your life. I was just sitting where you are a short time ago. It's going to get better."

I've heard middle-aged women wax poetic about how great and freeing mid-age is, but I don't see it. I wish I was still a babe.

I once read a saying that I've found helpful. Can't remember the exact words, but here's the idea: Contentment (or happiness) comes when you achieve your goals and enjoy it. Only the wisest of humans achieve the second.

So, set goals and envision how you want your life to be -- and remember to enjoy it when it comes true for you -- whether in part or in full.

[Myzen]

There is a good feeling here. I hope it carries on for us.

Good luck,

Myzen.