THE EARLY LEAD: The Wonder Years: A definitive college prep column

By Brandon Hurley
Managing Editor

News@beeherald.com

My college days feel like a myth, pure entertainment and near disaster all wrapped into one.
Fifteen years ago this month I began the tantalizing and invigorating journey that was college.
As the calendar continues to melt away, my fondness of those days develop into a bit of murkiness. Not because I’m losing my memory (I’m too young for that, c’mon), but due to how I’ve been able to properly analyze the necessity and value of college as a whole.

For one thing, college is outrageously expensive. I don’t support that, at all.

Anyway, I attended and graduated from the University of Iowa and Iowa City. Those four years were certainly the most pivotal of my life, without question.
For one, I became a father at the tender age of 20 in the summer between my sophomore and junior year. That was a terrifying time, but also incredibly grounding at the same time. I won’t fib and pretend I handled the situation perfectly, but I never once did anything but embrace it.

I was scared, naturally, panicking with the though of how to provide for a family while still in college. But somehow, I made it work, not without a few bumps and bruises along the way.
It’s been a little odd as a young parent, most of my classmates are now starting to have babies, yet here I am with a teenager. It’s dope, though. I’ve had a best friend by my side for more than a decade.
Cool beans.

I used to miss college. The first few years post-graduation, I found myself craving a house party or weekends filled with little to no obligations, hanging out with the buds. I missed attending every Iowa Hawkeye football home game. I cherished the tailgating. But then, the nostalgia, for the most part, evaporated. I don’t know when it happened, but I began looking forward instead of back.
That’s not to say I don’t have a fair amount on my mind. It’s me, I have plenty to gush about. So, without much more dilly-daddling, let’s go.
I was absolutely elated to begin college in 2007. Ready to move out on my own, venture into another town and meet some new people. Hardly any rules, plenty of time to screw around. That was my motto. I was young, dumb and naieve, though I found thousands of opportunities for fun.

In the following paragraphs, I’ve laid out a number of tips and suggestions for the newest generation of college students. Let’s go.

Dorm life
First of all, I encourage anyone heading off to college, if you have the means, to live in the dorms. It’s a must. That’s my number one advice. Though the living quarters may be rather cramped and awkward, dormitory life can teach you all sorts of things. And of course, it’s the best way to meet people.

The group of guys that would eventually become some of my best friends all lived on my floor my freshman year, though I had no indication that would be the case. I didn’t know a single soul as I entered my dorm. My roommate was a complete stranger (an interesting one at that, and that’s being nice) nor was I familiar with the 80 other kids on the third floor of Slater. I was quite nervous, a little shy and confused those first few days. But, it all worked itself out. The core group of buds and I enjoyed plenty of wild times – first bonding over a passion for Iowa football, then bleeding into a fondness for house parties and video game shenanigans. Even though we only get together for weddings now, we are still close. Living in the dorms and enjoying rather subpar meals in the dining hall is like navigating through life with hundreds of roomies. It’s chaotic, infuriating and a blast all in one. Naturally, you won’t have much privacy or solitude, but the trade-off is quite nice. You learn how to make friends, how to live with other students and learn how to sneak around the rules.

Have fun
I enjoyed my fair share of indulgence during those dark and wonderful days in Iowa City as well. I rarely studied (Who are we kidding? I was a journalism major for a reason. No tests, ever.)  But, I made sure I did all of my assignments. Other than that, attempting to enjoy the social aspect of college was priorities No. 1, 2 and 3. I jumped at the chance to try new things and go new places, never wanting to stay at home. Get out of your comfort zone, go to a concert you wouldn’t normally or check out a guest lecturer who sounds interesting. College is an opportunity to see what works and what you enjoy. Don’t let societal norms and guidelines hold you back.
And, who cares about getting the proper amount of sleep? If there’s a big shin-dig on a Wednesday night, go. Forget about being well-rested for tomorrow’s lecture. You’ll likely regret not spending time with your bros and peeps, instead laying in bed all alone with the lights off. There’s plenty of years to catch up on sleep, college isn’t the time.

With that being said, the hidden beauty of college is that you can organize your class schedule as you please. I’m a night owl, so I picked a schedule that allowed me to sleep in and still arrive on time. It was a beautiful thing.
God only knows how many mistakes I made during those four years, but it’s better to mess up when you’re 18-22 then to create a big stir when you’re 33.

Make sure to get paid (at least a little)
It doesn’t matter how or what, but always demand money. The cash flow doesn’t need to be good – heck, I donated plasma on a weekly basis for two years in college – but having a little extra income is nice for the adult beverages and trips to Chipotle. And when it comes to internships, take the ones that also pay you. Your work isn’t free, so you shouldn’t be treated as disposable. You’re giving them your time, they should reciprocate. You have value from the jump. You don’t need to prove it.

Get involved
Here’s something I wish I would’ve done more of – join more clubs and activities. I don’t necessarily know why I wasn’t more involved, but it’s certainly a regret. There’s something for everyone. I eventually joined the sports department of the college radio station, that was a blast. I wish I would’ve stepped up even more. I met several like-minded people and I learned a lot. Joining clubs or groups help you network for the future, a web of connections I sorely lacked following graduation. Meet new people, try things. It’ll be a big help.

Date, if you please
Explore romantic relationships, but don’t necessarily search for your spouse. These four years are going to be interesting for everyone, so relax and see what’s out there. Stop with the pressure, let yourself find a person you enjoy spending time with. But, don’t let that one person control what you do. Always remain in the driver’s seat of your own life, you can’t allow another person dictate it for you. You’ll likely meet all sorts of people from all over, here’s your chance. Not many people know you from Bob, and that’s a good thing. Once you get settled into the corporate world, it becomes much more difficult to meet love interests. That’s not to say it’s impossible – I met my current significant other when I was 26 – but ironing out the wrinkles of your game during college is a wise move. Try out those awful pick up lines now - they are more likely to be cute when you’re 21, not when you’re 45 and living at home with mom.

Do the homework
If you do all the necessary homework professors hand out, you’ll likely obtain some type of degree. That’s how I did it, and look at me now – a big shot directing traffic of the news world. Push yourself, but never too hard. What’s the difference between a 4.0 and a 2.5 when both get you degrees? No need to be a hermit, but also, don’t skip every class. Life is all about balance, and college is when that first starts to take shape.

Find something you love
This is vital. Absolutely instrumental to your future. Pick a major that you know will provide you with enjoyment. Journalism is the only professional thing I’ve ever loved, and while it’s certainly been difficult at times (shout out to my first editor who painstakingly and bluntly tore apart my early works), it’s been worth it. Writing and reporting has been a lot of fun. For the new students out there, the best path may not be the one that generates the most money. God knows small-town journalists don’t make the big bucks. But this works for me, and I’ve had a lot of really cool experiences. Like I said before, college is about experimenting. Take advantage of that. Try things, see what works, what you like. There’s not as much pressure as it may seem. When you find something you love, you’ll know it.

Well, it’s about time I wrap it up, for once. Enjoy college and get as much out of it as you can. But, be careful, a college education is expensive and might not exactly be worth the price. Consider your options before taking out loans. There are thousands of jobs you can do without the requirement of a four year degree and extreme debt, and you don’t have to wait four years, either.
They say high school should be the best time of your life, but in reality, I have much fonder memories of my time in college than those days living at home. I have stories to tell for decades, and experiences that helped shape who I am.  
Whatever path you choose, live it up.

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