What Did I Miss Out on in College, and What Would I Do Differently?

Reflecting back on my college years, there are several pivotal moments that I now realize made a significant impact on my overall experience. These moments include the student activities that I joined, the academic pressures I faced, and my approach to life during those formative years.

Getting Involved in Student Activities

One of the things I wish I had done more of was participate in student activities. An early example that stands out is attending a meeting for the college newspaper. Although I was interested, I decided against participating due to my demanding schedule. My future academic commitments, heavy class loads starting as early as 8 a.m., and ending as late as 3 or 4 p.m., significantly limited my free time. Looking back, it was a missed opportunity to engage in important activities and build lasting friendships.

While I was actively involved in high school, my college years felt in some ways like a missed chance. The time I spent in mandatory classes left me with little to no time for extracurriculars. Additionally, my need to secure funds to cover living expenses made it challenging to find time for additional activities that I would have enjoyed. Reflecting on this, I believe I could have and should have made time for myself despite my busy schedule.

Wish I Did: Active Participation and Engagement

Looking back, I regret not doing the following: Attending all classes Completing assignments on time Reading the required materials Preparing for and participating in tests and exams

Wish I Didn’t: Time Wasted on Leisure

Many hours that could have been better spent on academic activities were instead devoted to leisurely pursuits. Games such as chess, poker, bridge, and Hearts often occupied my free time. While these activities may have been enjoyable, they detracted from the learning and networking opportunities that could have significantly enhanced my education and future career prospects.

Additionally, I wish I hadn’t considered dropping out at any point during my college years. The thought of leaving was overwhelming, and it only added to my stress and anxiety. Focusing on my studies and completing my degree would have provided me with a solid foundation for my future endeavors.

Wish I Would Have Lived More and Had More Fun

Another regret is that I missed out on many networking opportunities and college activities that I didn’t have time for due to financial constraints. I worked part-time to cover my living expenses, which left me less time to explore and engage in extracurriculars. It wasn’t until later that I realized the missed connections and opportunities for personal and professional growth.

I would highly recommend to students not to get into college while already married. Being in a dual-career household created additional stress while I was studying and trying to pay my expenses. Being single during my college years would have provided more flexibility and focus on my studies.

Being Idealistic and Focusing on Academic Realities

Diving into my academic experience, another regret is being overly idealistic. I was consistently an A- to A student, but too often, my pursuit of what I believed to be the truth clashed with what was expected in class. This idealism proved to be shortsighted and arrogant, and it took me several years to realize its implications.

During my dental school years, I learned that the academic system is a game that must be played to succeed. The best students are those who provide the answers the professors want to hear. Professors want compliance and acceptance rather than critical thinking. This can be disheartening for students who are genuinely curious and passionate about their studies.

One of the best students I knew in dental school had an exceptionally high academic performance. He would complete exams quickly, often in 15 to 20 minutes, while other students took the full two hours. He explained that he started by selecting the correct answers and then spent the remaining time trying to figure out what the professor thought was right. Despite his impressive academic record, he still performed excellently on national boards, often outperforming the professor who wrote the leading dental anatomy textbook.

While success in academia is partly about knowledge and skills, it is also about understanding the nuances of the system and how to navigate it effectively.

Conclusion

Reflecting on these missed opportunities and the lessons learned, I realize that balancing academic responsibilities, extracurricular activities, and personal life is crucial. The experiences I had in college have shaped me into the person I am today, both for the better and for the worse. While some of the choices I made were necessary and productive, others were opportunities I should have seized.