Five Things I Wish I Had Done in College

By Li Hoang

Published: May 28, 2025

In 2020, around what felt like the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, I graduated from college, summa cum laude, with a bachelor’s degree in journalism print/media and a minor in Asian American Studies. To avoid facilitating a superspreading event, if my memory serves me right, my university held a virtual graduation ceremony for me and my class. We enjoyed a presentation my university put together celebrating a milestone that was, for me, four years in the making. While the presentation unfolded, I looked back on all I had done during college, from studying in library rooms I booked before class to beefing up my resume by working on-campus jobs. While I was proud of all I had done, I couldn’t help but also look back on the many opportunities I wish I had capitalized on. 

To help y’all dodge a similar bittersweetness and ensure y’all experience a well-rounded higher education, I’ve organized a list of five things I wish I had done during college.

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1. Attended More On-Campus Events

Life as a college student can get really hectic, really fast. Sometimes, college felt like no sleep, a 45-minute drive to campus, class, another class, another class, a 60-minute drive home due to traffic, hours of homework, no sleep, all anxiety. Even so, I wish I had gone to more of the events my university hosted. 

Once, during a lull in my schedule, I went to a farmer’s market in front of the campus library. After walking around the event and checking out what folks offered, I came across a stand that sold handmade desserts. It was there that I discovered one of the best lemon bars I have ever had. More importantly, I met the baker behind them. While I don’t remember exactly what we discussed, I do remember laughing a lot with a mouthful of sweet, tangy lemon and delicate, buttery shortbread because of something they said. This would never have happened if I had instead scrolled through my feed in the back of the library as I sometimes did. 

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2. Joined Clubs

Occasionally, in between classes, I hung out and caught up with high school-turned-college friends in my university’s common area. While comfortable and fun, I wish I had ventured out and experienced more by joining several of the many clubs offered by my university.  

If I became part of, say, the American Conservation Coalition, I could have helped clean up the environment and hiked to national parks with others, which would have made for meaningful and unforgettable memories I could have looked back on fondly. If I had officially joined the archery club after my one visit, I could have learned a new skill. I could have also played out more of my dramatic fantasy where I avenge my father, who was slain by his best friend and my paternal figure, until I learned of his betrayal, with an arrow that tore the traitor’s heart just as he tore mine… Anyway, that was a fun 10 minutes that could have continued had I joined. With time, I could have possibly also learned to hit a bullseye, if only I had joined.  

3. Engaged More with Professors 

Often, I went to my professors during their office hours to go over assignments. However, I wish I had made more of an effort to engage with them outside of classwork. For example, as a senior, I accepted an opportunity my adjunct professor offered students wherein we got our morning coffee at an on-campus shop and discussed the field of journalism and what it means to report well. Later, she helped me secure the opportunity to write an op-ed piece for my city’s newspaper—one of the greatest highlights of my professional career. 

If I had engaged with my professors in similar ways, we could have built a rapport I could have tapped into to gain more opportunities and realize a fuller professional career earlier in life. 

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4. Volunteered More 

As I complete another year around the sun, I am reminded of my limited time on Earth and feel the need more than ever to do more than ever. I’ve recently acted on this feeling by dedicating my weekends to volunteering, which has inspired an unbeatable sense of purpose. So, I wish I had volunteered more in college. If I had, I could’ve felt this purpose sooner. More importantly, if I had, I could’ve changed more lives sooner. 

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5. Enrolled in More Unique Courses 

Wanting to enter workforce asap to start saving and realizing some life-long goals, including globe-trotting, I applied for my university’s four-year graduation plan. I took most of my general education requirements in my first year and major- and minor-specific courses every year after until graduation. Now, I couldn’t always take these courses since they weren’t available every semester. So, I wish, when I had the chance, I had enrolled in classes such as Intro to Philosophy or Introduction to World Cultures. If I had taken unique classes like these, I could’ve enjoyed a more holistic higher education journey and, maybe, I would have fewer of these “wishes” of mine.

I would say, “Learn from my mistakes!” However, I don’t think I made those, just choices that left me wanting upon reflection. Life is short. So, do all you can as much as you can whenever you can, especially during higher education, when you have more choices academically, personally, and professionally than ever. In the words of Hannah Montana, (I’m hoping this isn’t an outdated reference), “Life's what you make it, so let's make it rock.”