A Question for Slow Down FAST Readers: Was college the “time of your life”?
By David B. Bohl | July 9, 2008 | 17 Responses
My son brought home 9 of his college friends to visit with us for the 4th of July Holiday.
We spent the afternoon of the 4th playing in my in-law’s annual Croquet Tournament.
As I was speaking with a family friend about the spectacle of 7 football players running and dancing around the croquet field, she remarked that it’s great to watch them having so much fun. “After all,” she said, it’s the time of their life.”
This got me thinking: Was college the “time of my life?”
I began to think about what made college so fun. I decided that - in its simplest form - it was exciting because I was learning and growing and experimenting and doing new and different things. The whole world was open to me.
Does that mean that my best years are behind me in college? Absolutely not! If I can spend my time, energy, and attention - today - on those things that allow me to learn and grow and experience new things, today is the time of my life.
What do you think? When is/was the time of your life?
Thanks to Anja Merret for including this article in the Blog Carnival of Observations on Life.
Copyright 2008 David Bohl and SlowDownFast.com. All rights reserved.
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Husband, father, friend, Life Coach and Lifestyle Designer David B. Bohl is the creator of Slow Down FAST at www.slowdownfast.com.
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17 Responses to “A Question for Slow Down FAST Readers:
Was college the “time of your life”?
”Comments
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July 9th, 2008 at 2:16 pm
You are right. My best times in life have always been those when I have grown, faced fears and given my best. And these times are all scattered - in school, college, work and ofcourse now
July 9th, 2008 at 6:44 pm
My first few years in university were not very good, simply because I spent most of my time scared of new people.
Then I threw out the idea of being scared and started enjoying my life. Now anytime is the best time
July 9th, 2008 at 9:14 pm
I did have a blast in college, but I can’t say that was the time of my life. It was the time of my life that helped me define who I am and try a bunch of new things. Without those experiences, I would never have gained the confidence to take the biggest leap of my life, leaving the place I grew up, my family, friends, and taking a job on the other side of the country. For me this was a chance to make new friends, break bad habits, and gain perspective on my life. With new friends and old, connections from sailing, and a job that doesn’t rule my life, I am truly living the best days of my life and have no intention of going anywhere but forward.
July 9th, 2008 at 9:32 pm
John,
Great to hear from you! Thanks for weighing in.
Glad to hear things are working well for you out east.
David
July 9th, 2008 at 11:56 pm
As I close in on 50 this month, I would have to say it’s ALWAYS the “time of your life”.
I find as I get older, that you have ‘compartments’. There was the Air Force Years, followed by the school and work yourself up years. There was the owned a Blimpie years (okay 18 months, didn’t go well). We adopted a daughter, so now I’m in the raise a child years. I’m hoping to move into the “now the work is done” years soon. It’s always interesting I guess. My amazement comes from the fact that I can remember so LITTLE of it all. I look at pictures of people that once where ‘good’ friends, and can’t remember about 1/2 the names. I traveled a lot with a friend I made in Jr. High, and sometimes when he tells stories of his view of it, it’s like the trip happened to someone else. Got off track, but I’m trying to say it’s always the time of your life. It’s just a phase.
July 10th, 2008 at 12:05 am
Jim,
Thank you for your thoughts and experiences.
Being 47 myself, I can relate to your comments of not remembering names of people that seemed so close to us at the time.
And it is true that we all have our separate realities when it comes to our perceptions of events!
David
July 10th, 2008 at 12:18 am
David,
Love your blog by the way.
Another thought that I had was people used to tell me that “High School is the time of your life” and I kept thinking “Oh god, I sure hope not”. I HATED High School. The fun began when I joined the Air Force. From there it’s been a blur, but I sure would hate to think High School is the highlight for anyone.
July 10th, 2008 at 6:09 am
I didn’t go to college (or univerisity/uni) myself, but spent plenty of time hanging out with friends who did. (They were wiser than me in more ways than one
I think a lot of the “time of your life” feeling also derives from the relative lack of responsibility most of us had (or didn’t have) at the time as well. Many of us had families to back us up if something went wrong, so really it was about getting assignments and exams done and then it was time to party or whatever. Happy days indeed 
July 10th, 2008 at 10:59 am
College was a challenging time in my life, and while there were great days, it was not my overall best time. Like the people we bring into our lives and take bits and pieces of the good ones to keep, so were experiences in college and afterward. I think David has it nailed — “If I can spend my time, energy and attention on those things that allow me to learn and grow and experience new things, today is the time of my life.” …and I’ll bring the good stuff of the past along with me to enhance what I have yet to learn!
July 10th, 2008 at 11:19 am
Gail,
You, too, have nailed it. If we could only let go of the negative from our pasts and focus on the good - our values, beliefs, passions, and strengths - we’d be much better off. Unfortunately, we tend to carry a lot of baggage from our pasts around with us.
David
July 10th, 2008 at 11:46 am
Hi David,
I’m really enjoying the personal connection that’s coming across with this post! I say, more snapshots of what’s happening with David.
Senior year of college was *the time of my life* because I took classes that didn’t feel like classes beause I enjoyed them so much. I knew where I was going with my career, and was surrounded by people whose company I truly enjoyed. My circle of friends from college was a small, close knit group, who, to this day, make me laugh, make me think, make me feel good, and help me to remember who I am on the inside in case I happen to forget.
It was the best of friends, and the best of times. I use that time as a gauge for every other phase of my life. If it lives up to college, I know I must be doing something right.
Thanks for taking me back! It looks like you had a really fun weekend - and now I’m living vicariously through your experience.
July 10th, 2008 at 12:03 pm
Dina,
Always great to hear from you. Thanks for sharing your experiences and perspective.
David
July 10th, 2008 at 12:07 pm
Here’s another photo of me having fun with my son’s friends.
July 11th, 2008 at 1:59 am
College was so not the time of my life. I put way too much pressure on myself and went to a party school where I didn’t really fit in. It made me who I am in ways I could never regret, but I’m much happier where I am now.
Like you, I think every day should be the time of your life. I can’t imagine anything more depressing than thinking my best days are behind me!
July 12th, 2008 at 11:54 am
College was fun sure, but not the time of my life by any means. What made college special was the growing, learning and being independent for the first time. But the same can be said for the time right out of college getting your first job, moving into your own apartment and actually having money.
I like to think that right now is the best time. My husband and I are starting a family and building traditions of our own. But I think that in 15 years I will look back onto the early days and think, wow that was a lot of work and be happy to have a teenager.
July 16th, 2008 at 4:40 pm
Not only was college the time of my life, but I knew it at the time and remarked on it regularly during those 4 years. I went to a large well known University. Essentially it was like living in a decent sized town where everybody was in your age group and most had similar interests to you. I learned, I experimented, I failed, I succeeded. Lived simply but did not have to work to support myself or anyone else. For the most part got to make my own decisions and choices after a life time of being told what to do and how to do it.
In referring to my college years to my kids I call it 4 years of heaven after the 4 years of agony in high school.
August 18th, 2008 at 5:46 am
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