There’s no denying that university life forms some of our favorite memories, but let’s be real–some of our behaviors were downright outrageous back then. We still laugh about it, but we’d never be caught dead acting like that as grown adults. To show you what we mean, here are 19 things that were cool back in our uni days but are now rather embarrassing.
Wearing Pajamas in Public
Back when we were at uni, it was common for us to roll out of bed and head straight to a lecture in pajamas, which is so ridiculous to think back on. At the time, it signaled our carefree attitude, but as The Guardian points out, the idea of showing up anywhere in sleepwear is considered entirely inappropriate by society.
Collecting Empty Liquor Bottles as Decor
What was it about university life that made everyone collect empty liquor bottles and turn them into decorative displays? This was a very common sight in uni dorms, especially in those dominated by boys. It seemed like a creative way to commemorate memorable nights out at the time, but now, it would just look like a cluttered cry for help.
Using Rucksack as Your Only Bag
For long days at university, rucksacks were the go-to carry-all, holding everything we needed, such as our laptops, textbooks, and snacks. They were so convenient and practical, yet as adults, the sight of a rucksack in professional settings feels out of place, overshadowed by the sophistication of briefcases and handbags. Personally, we think that’s nonsense–bring back the rucksack!
Posting Party Pics on Social Media
Today, we look back while cringing at how we once shared every moment of a wild night out on social media. It was almost a rite of passage during university years, but now, the memory of those photos—full of questionable choices and blurry faces—might cause more cringes than laughs. We would never do this today because, thankfully, times have changed.
Wearing University Merchandise Everywhere
During our uni days, we loved sporting our university hoodie or t-shirt around campus, showcasing our school spirit proudly. It was a uniform of belonging during those academic years, but nowadays, wearing university merchandise outside the gym or in a casual weekend setting can feel like clinging to a chapter that has long since closed.
Makeshift Furniture
As skint students, we had to use our imagination when it came to furniture in our dorms, so we’d often resort to cardboard boxes, wooden pallets, and anything else we could make into coffee tables. There’s no doubt that it was resourceful, and we were proud of this at the time, but now that we’ve got money, it seems a bit daft.
Living Off Instant Noodles
Anyone who went to uni knows that instant noodles were the go-to meal. They were cheap, easy, and surprisingly satisfying at 3 a.m. However, this dietary staple now represents an era of questionable nutrition choices because, ultimately, we learned that they’re full of sodium, fats, and very little nutritious value.
Overstuffing Your Schedule
Juggling a packed schedule of classes, extracurriculars, and social events was a badge of honor during university. It showcased your ability to handle everything at once, but thankfully, we eventually learned that an overstuffed calendar can quickly lead to burnout. These days, balance and focus are much more respected than perpetual busyness.
Attending Every Single Event
Part of overstuffing our schedule was attending every single event on campus, which was a fantastic way to stay engaged and socially connected. FOMO (fear of missing out) was a powerful motivator, but as we grew older, the idea of attending every event felt exhausting, with selective socializing becoming the new norm.
Procrastinating on Assignments
Another thing that was cool back in university but is embarrassing today was putting off assignments until the last minute, which even the smartest students did. It always led to frantic caffeine-fuelled all-nighters, yet we kept on doing it to ourselves. Thankfully, we eventually realized that getting started on work early is always a less stressful strategy.
Taking Pride in Being Broke
After living off our parents for years, being broke in university was worn as a badge of honor, with students finding all sorts of creative ways to stretch a dollar. It was almost a bonding experience among peers, but as an adult, it’s safe to say that glorifying a lack of funds seems less admirable and more concerning.
Playing Drinking Games Regularly
If you didn’t play drinking games at uni, did you even attend? They were a staple of university life, making social gatherings far more entertaining. However, what was once seen as a fun way to bond with friends now feels immature and out of place at more sophisticated adult gatherings, although we’ll still bust them out occasionally when we’re feeling crazy.
Sleeping Through Mornings
Gone are the days when we used to skip our morning responsibilities back in uni, intentionally missing classes to sleep in. This was a common university indulgence, often justified by late-night study sessions or socializing. For some reason, this seemed perfectly acceptable, but if you did that today at your job, you’d be fired in no time.
Sharing Everything About Your Life Online
Oversharing on social media was practically a norm during university, with every thought and experience broadcast for all to see. Social media has come a long way since then, so the impulse to share everything online feels less liberating and more like a lack of boundaries. In adulthood, discretion and selective sharing are often more valued.
Surviving on Caffeine Alone
Coffee and energy drinks were the lifeblood of many university students, powering them through late nights and early mornings. Living off caffeine alone seemed almost heroic at the time, but even just thinking about the impact this had on our adult hearts makes us wince.
Ignoring Health for Grades
Another thing that was seen as cool in uni but is now just embarrassing is how we sacrificed sleep, meals, and even our mental health for the sake of grades. We felt that this symbolized dedication and commitment to our academic success, but looking back on it, if we’d just reached out to our lecturers, they’d probably have cut us some slack.
Using Laptops for Everything
For many of us, university was the first time we had access to our own laptop, so we’d use it for everything, whether that was taking notes, watching movies, or writing essays. Nowadays, however, we’re all burnt out from decades of laptop use, and we’d far sooner reach for a piece of paper and a pen to give ourselves a break.
Having Messy Living Spaces
For some bizarre reason, a messy dorm or apartment was often seen as a natural part of student life. It was almost expected, given the chaotic nature of university schedules. As an adult, however, a consistently messy living space is seen as a sign of disorganization and a lack of personal responsibility, and quite rightly.
Sporting Questionable Fashion Choices
Finally, just about everyone’s university experience came with bold, unconventional fashion choices. This might have meant wearing pajamas to the grocery store, sporting a shellsuit to the club, or goodness knows what else. We don’t regret embracing this at the time, but these days, we try to keep our fashion sense more neutral and timeless.