“Every experience has its time and place, kiddos, and that place is college.” Or at least that’s what a character in a show once said. For me, that sentiment rang true.
In high school, I was a bit of an outlier—too quirky for the popular crowd, yet not geeky enough to fit in with the true nerds. I often blended into the backdrop, despite rocking my neon leggings and oversized scrunchies. But college? That was a transformative whirlwind. The late ’80s and early ’90s represented an exhilarating six years where I explored different majors, unsure of my future but open to all possibilities.
College life was about sharing an apartment with a revolving door of new faces, subsisting on coffee, instant noodles, pizza, and cheap beer. I pulled all-nighters writing papers fueled by peppermint schnapps, lugged laundry back home once a month, and crashed in my childhood room, roused by my mom’s coffee. Late-night discussions ranged from politics to the latest episode of Melrose Place and our mutual disdain for that girl in American Lit who acted like a total jerk. I even tried learning German, only to realize years later that all I retained was how to call someone a “dummkopf.” And who could forget the time a drunken friend in a trench coat knocked on my door at midnight without any pants?
My love for the college experience even led me to a career in higher education. Sometimes that keeps me feeling youthful, though it also means I have to deal with those pesky gray hairs more often than I’d prefer.
As with everything else, technology has drastically reshaped college life. Many of the rituals I experienced are now foreign to today’s students. When I reminisce, the work-study students in my office look at me as if I’m recounting tales of life on the prairie. Here are a few relics of my college days that have all but disappeared.
1. Long Registration Lines
Back in the day, the buzz would spread about the release of the upcoming semester’s schedule. We’d rush to the Registrar’s Office, where stacks of schedules awaited us. I would grab extras for my friends, earning a disapproving glare from the office staff. We would gather under a tree or in a coffee shop, flipping through the schedules with ink-smudged fingers.
After debating our options, I would meet with my advisors—one with a penchant for quoting Hunter S. Thompson and another whose beard was as bushy as his wisdom. They would glance at my plans, remind me of the science class I needed, and sign my form.
Then came registration day, a twice-a-year rite where the number of credits dictated your place in line. I’d skip work or struggle out of bed with a hangover because registration wouldn’t wait. It happened in the Commuter Cafeteria, an area that smelled like Lysol and tuna. Rows of computers replaced tables, and I stood in line, people-watching, wondering if the girl ahead of me would snag the last seat in my desired class.
Today, my job involves managing registration systems, which have evolved. There are no more lines; students can register from their laptops or phones in the comfort of their homes.
2. Public Grade Checks
This one makes me cringe now that I understand the importance of privacy. Back in my day, professors would post grades outside their doors. Students would line up, hearts racing, hoping for a glimpse of the coveted “A” or “B.” Instead of names, they used social security numbers—something we never considered as a breach of privacy.
3. The Race for the Dorm Phone
My “dorm” was an on-campus apartment shared with three roommates. No one owned a cell phone; a few had pagers, which we thought were the ultimate cool. The communal phone was our lifeline to the outside world. I remember waiting impatiently for a call from my study buddy who resembled Kiefer Sutherland, only to find my roommate monopolizing the line.
Oh, the thrill (and annoyance) of voicemail! I would rush home to check for messages, heart racing at the thought of hearing from him. If texting had been available, I would have sent sad-face emojis instead of waiting for callbacks.
4. Fancy Resume Paper
I worked at the career center during college and heard constant reminders from counselors about investing in quality resume paper. When it was my turn, I bought a box of pristine off-white paper and printed out my resume, battling printer jams and typos along the way. Nowadays, I hire regularly but haven’t touched a piece of resume paper in years. If it’s not electronic, it’s likely not even considered.
5. Reconnecting on Social Media
This isn’t strictly a college memory, but it’s something today’s students likely won’t experience. Many of my college friendships faded post-graduation. Imagine my excitement when Facebook surfaced, allowing me to reconnect with friends I hadn’t spoken to in years. Those moments of finding someone you shared your college life with—only to realize the connection had waned—are less likely now, as today’s students are already linked through social media from day one.
While the list of college experiences that your kids will never have could go on indefinitely, I can’t deny they are still likely making friends who will buy them beer, pulling all-nighters, and indulging in ramen. I hope they, too, are spending time in the musty aisles of a library, even amidst Google searches and online learning. Some aspects of our college days may be gone for good, and that’s alright; I don’t miss the long lines, voicemail anxiety, or paper jams at all.
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Summary
College experiences have changed drastically over the years, with many rituals from the past fading into obscurity. From long registration lines and public grade postings to the communal dorm phone and the need for physical resume paper, today’s students navigate a vastly different landscape. While they may still pull all-nighters and enjoy ramen, the unique experiences of past generations are now relics of a bygone era.
Keyphrase: College experiences your kids will never have
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