I opened an email from The Iowa State Foundation and read, “Congratulations! You graduated from college 10 years ago!” I choked on my lemon infused water.
When I was in college, I… met my husband. Fulfilled many of my athletic dreams. Worked my tail off (and perfected procrastination). Had purple hair and a pierced nose. Opened a Facebook account my senior year. Hit the 3 button twice just to text an E on my cell phone. Watched the finale of Friends with my dorm floor. VCR recorded American Idol. Was a freshman when September 11th happened. First got to vote. Grew closer to Jesus…. A lot happened in college. It feels like yesterday.
Yet, it doesn’t. I learned a lot in college. A lot I’ve since forgotten. I am grateful for college, for Iowa State. However, there are so many things college itself did not teach me. There are so many lessons I have learned in my decade post graduation.
Here are 30 things I have learned in my 10 years since graduating college:
- You never really grow up. Dreams change. Goals grow. Life happens.
- The Bachelor is still great TV. It’s just more fun to watch with your roommates.
- Reading Go Dogs Go! trumps the dishes. Every time.
- Degrees I have earned as a mom include, but are not limited to, Laundry Management, Food Prep for the Severely Picky Child, Prepubescent Counseling, Minivan Navigation, Royal Princess History, Hot Wheels Classification, and Bodily Fluid Sanitation.
- Staying up past 10 o’clock is challenging.
- Parenting after 8 p.m. is impossible.
- The important things in life you cannot buy.
- It is harder to sign up for a library card than it is to open a credit card.
- Great men are hard to find. Once you have one, hold on tight.
- Happiness is a choice.
- I had a better wardrobe when I had roommates.
- Be 21 when you’re 21, not when you’re 31… 41….
- Managing, collaborating, and tolerating people with different personalities, abilities, values, and work habits is a daily exercise.
- The above takes practice, patience, and skill.
- You are not defined by a job, a salary, or a relationship.
- It will never again be acceptable for me to cut up my T-shirts, bare my midriff, and dance like a lunatic on the Jack Trice jumbo tron.
- Debatable if number 16 were ever truly acceptable.
- Life can change in a heartbeat.
- Parenting is simply trial by fire.
- A true friend is one you can go months without talking to and pick up right where you left off.
- Cable companies cannot be trusted.
- Whenever you need a doctor, pray for a great nurse. They make all the difference.
- Everyone needs a village.
- A lot can change in 10 years.
- Some things stay the same.
- A simple, small act of kindness goes a long way.
- Nothing prepares you for 3 a.m. wake-up calls. Nothing.
- Teamwork makes the dream work.
- Real life is expensive and complicated.
- College was easy! Oh, so easy.
I can’t imagine what I’ll reflect on when that email tells me it’s been 20 years…. I guess number 31: Time really does fly!
Great article! Im a former clone too! A lot has changed in ten years!