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Hindsight is 20|20 for Graduating Seniors

Last week, we asked our graduating seniors what they wished they had done differently during their time at Penn State. Having spent the last four years — more or less, for some — at Penn State, and facing graduation in just a couple weeks, the seniors replied with things they wish they could have changed.

These responses ranged from how seriously they took their education to changing social aspects of their college career. In any case, it’s clear that the past few years have thrown a lot, both positive and negative, at the senior class.

Below are some of the responses we received from the Class of 2014.

“Not getting more involved within my major.” -Marisa Fiorentino, Advertising

“I wish I joined one club and put my time into that club. I also wish I lived downtown for a semester and applied for an internship sooner than I did.” -Justin Frazier, Mechanical Engineering

“Taken myself seriously earlier in my college career. Halfway through junior year I “figured it out” and everything has been different. I wasted 5 semesters.” -Anonymous, Supply Chain

“Participating in Paternoville.” -Anonymous, Marketing

“I wish I actually cared about my classes the first two years I was at PSU. Now, being a super senior graduating with less than a 3.0, finding a job is harder than I ever would have thought. I also wish I had made more friends in classes I took and didn’t just have note buddies. I love my friends, don’t get me wrong, but I wish I put myself out there a little bit.” – Jenny Reimann, SRA:SFR

“I wish I checked out the disabilites office sooner. I spent the first two years of college struggling through all of my classes before I finally spoke to someone about it. I jumped through the hoops and was able to get accomodations for my learning disability and have been on deans list ever since. I would of been so much better off if I hadn’t been so proud to ask for help all those years ago.” – Anonymous, Psychology

“I wish I had transferred to Penn State earlier.” -Megan Patrick, Psychology

“Breaking the sound barrier over campus at least once.” -Joe Pitts, Aerospace Engineering

“I wish that I attended at least 1 of every varsity sporting event at Penn State!” -Marcy Herr, Education and Public Policy

“I wish I had planned on staying at least 4.5 years. That way I could have enjoyed PSU more instead of driving myself crazy over engineering for 4 years.” -Anonymous, Electrical Engineering

“Pursue minors or an emphasis early on! Actively make friends with professors and your advisors so that later on you can get good letters of recommendation!” -Anonymous, Nutritional Sciences

“Applied for a THON committee Freshman year.” -Meredith Moore, Biology

“Absolutely nothing. No regrets.” -Adam, Kinesiology

“Tried the dating scene.” -Cody McKean, Architecture

“I wish I would have studied abroad.” -Anthony Potter, HRIM

“I wish I came to University Park as a freshman as opposed to coming as a junior like I did so I could have lived the magic longer.” -Terence Baker, Psychology

“I would have explored general education classes more and take ones I was interested in rather than pick easy gen ed classes.” -Jaclyn, HDFS

“Taken more business classes, most jobs revolve around business.” -Anonymous, Agricultural Sciences

“I worked hard and partied harder; but I wish I had more ‘sober time’ with my friends.” -KMM, HRIM

“Lived in a house my senior year.” -Jack Sheehan, Supply Chain Management

“I wish I would have spent more time hanging out with friends instead of doing class work ALL THE TIME! Work will always be there, after graduation, friends may not be.” -Erica, Agriculture and Extension Education

“Realized that sometimes things are good enough, and then went out.” -Jonathan Sharp, Architectural Engineering

“I wish I would have come to University Park right away instead of doing 2+2. I loved my experience at a Commonwealth Campus, but when I got to University Park, I quickly realized that I had jipped myself out of two years the real college experience I had dreamed of.” -Alissa Chessario, Spanish

“I was kind of a dickhead sometimes.” -JOB, Material Sciences

“Joining more clubs that I had interest in and sticking with them.” -Anonymous, Food Science

“I wish I would’ve transferred sooner. I came from a small school in Rhode Island, after a miserable year there. I decided to transfer to Penn State and that was the best decision of my life. I wish with every being that I decided that earlier. I missed two years of being at the best university in the world!” -Victoria Faconti, Broadcast Journalism

“Take more time considering what major I wanted to pursue.” -Anonymous, HRIM

“I wish I went to class less and I went to bars more.” -Anonymous, Advertising

“I should’ve tried to get kicked out of every bar.” -Anonymous, Advertising

“I wish I had never become friends with Yuka Narisako.” -Melissa Barrow, Mathematics (ouch)

“Absolutely fucking nothing.” -Jon, Mechanical Engineering

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About the Author

Yuka Narisako

Yuka legally immigrated to the United States via airplane in 1996 from the small island nation of Japan. Since then she has migrated throughout the country and now identifies herself as a senior majoring in Architectural Engineering. The Shandygaff is her Happy Place, though she was once kicked out of the establishment after breaking her shoe and screaming “I LOVE DAY DRINKING. I’M HAVING FUN.” Yuka is overly enthusiastic about life in general, but especially Ja Rule, Halloween, and the puffy black vest she purchased from the Gap. You can reach her at [email protected], or through Twitter @yukahontass.

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