College is often said to be the best four years of your life— full of freedom, late-night adventures and building lifelong friendships. But let’s be real: for most students, that vision doesn’t quite capture reality. College can be incredibly stressful. Between countless coursework, clubs and jobs, burnout becomes less of a “maybe” and more of a “when.” The truth is, you’re not alone. Everyone, whether they admit it or not, is navigating this chaotic journey. Luckily, there are faculty and staff around campus who have faced similar challenges and are here to offer guidance. 

Recently, I had the chance to sit down with professors to ask them two simple yet significant questions: “What is your biggest regret from college?” and “Do you have any advice for current students?”  

I began with Dan Gaken, director of the Leadership Institute. He believes that college is the best place to discover who you are. Dan regrets not studying abroad. During college, he was deeply involved in various RSOs and campus offices, which made him too hesitant to leave Mount Pleasant for a semester. As a result, he missed the chance to travel and step outside his comfort zone. During the interview, he offered practical advice about attending class, taking care of yourself and asking for help. What stood out to me most was his advice on finding balance. “College is a great time to explore interests outside of your studies and meet new people. But it’s easy to get caught up in studying all the time, partying too much or joining every RSO. Try to find a balance between your academic responsibilities and social life.”  

Holly Hoffman, a professor in Human Development & Family Studies, shared that her biggest regret was also never studying abroad. Studying abroad allows students to view new perspectives that can allow them to be more open-minded. “I would love to have amazing memories from around the world. Imagine all the connections, photos and stories I could be sharing with my two children that are enrolled in college now!” As an adult, juggling work and family can make traveling more difficult, so it's a great idea to take advantage of the opportunity to travel when you can. 

Next, I spoke with Alan Gumm, a professor in the music department. His biggest regret in college was not embracing the ups and downs of college. He mentioned that you never know what the future holds, so allowing yourself to enjoy the journey can help you stay open-minded. He emphasized the importance of challenging yourself outside your comfort zone. “The point is not to narrow down to a singular career but to expand and develop a broader range, ready for changing times and needs across a long path in life.” His message was clear: growth happens when you push yourself to try new things.  

Finally, I spoke with Mark Spieles from the Business College. Here, he shared his biggest regret from college. He said, “Waiting too long to get involved in my career and professional organizations, putting too much time (focus) into the social aspect of college.”  Mark believes that it is important to attend career fairs, join professional RSOs and network with your faculty and peers in class during your freshman year. While socializing is important to incoming students, so is building their professional resume.  

Despite their regrets, each faculty member shared valuable advice: trust the process, take care of your mental health and have fun (with balance, of course). The overarching theme was clear: college is a journey, not a race. Everyone is figuring it out one step at a time.