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Coulda, Woulda, Shoulda!
At some point in life, most people wish they had done something they instead passed up. Probably the time that most people look back with the most regrets centers is their college years. It’s a time when most people are making key decisions that can affect their entire lives. Careers, life partners, locations and lifelong interests are all potentially wrapped up in your college decisions.
During college, many people are not at a point yet where they know exactly what they want, so decisions are often made in haste and with little thought to the consequences. Where to go? What to study? Everyone is ready and willing to offer suggestions—parents, teachers, friends. They all have a “coulda, woulda, shoulda” story to share in attempt to influence you decisions.
I am fortunate that I made some good decisions. There are very few times in my life that I would go back and redo. But I do have several regrets when I look back at my time at college. What would I have done differently? What are my coulda, woulda, shouldas?
Well, I would have looked more carefully into the courses I selected, especially those in my majors, art and history. I saved one course in graphic design for my senior year because I was afraid the professor (my own advisor!) would be too difficult. It ended up being my favorite course. If I had taken this course in my freshman or sophomore years, I would have had many more years to study an area I really loved. I should have taken that course earlier rather than putting it off.
I also should have picked up my education courses so my art and history majors would have been backed up with teaching credentials. Even though I wasn’t interested in teaching at that time, trying to pick up those courses later is a struggle. I’ve heard that same regret from many other people. I could have picked up my teaching credentials or another backup plan while I was already in school.
Take advantage of all the opportunities available to you in college. I should have gone to more plays, attended more sports events, gone to more concerts and art exhibits and joined more groups. After college, those opportunities are never as available as when you are right there on campus. I would have done more if I knew what I know now.
I would have gotten to know more people, different kinds of people. I would have gone up to more people to say hello. I would have asked more questions. I wouldn’t have waited for others to notice me first. I would have taken the initiative to meet new friends and acquaintances.
Here are a few suggestions before you look back at your own college experience and find a few shoulda, woulda, couldas of your own.
Look very closely at the colleges or universities that you would like to attend. Make sure they have the best programs and courses for your study plans. Look carefully at the location and your own needs. Are they close enough—or far enough away—from home and family? Is the climate one you would enjoy? What about the size of the campus? Does it fit your needs educationally and physically? Does it fit you financially? There is nothing worse than to strap yourself with a financial burden that will take years to reconcile. It may not only affect you, but also your family or future family as well.
Don’t be afraid to make changes—changes in majors, changes in colleges, changes in friends, and changes in environment. Don’t stay with something because change takes time and effort if it doesn’t feel right. Move on, and make the decision to better your situation.
When selecting a major, choose something you love. Choose something you are passionate about. If you pick a major or career because someone else loves it or you want to make a lot of money, you will forever be miserable. This is probably the worst “coulda, shoulda, woulda” you could ever make. There is nothing more unmotivating than doing something you really don’t like. College prepares you for life, and life is hopefully a long, long time. If you do what you love, you will look back with few “coulda, woulda, shouldas,” and you’ll look forward with enthusiasm and no regrets. Article provided by 
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