My parents attended Big Ten universities, but I chose a smaller, lesser-known one. They often chastised me for that choice.

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Purdue university sign next to a ball state university sign
The author didn't attend her father's alma mater, Purdue. She went to Ball State instead.

Michael Hickey & Education Images/ Getty Images

I just finished my freshman year at Yale. I'm worried I didn't make deep, long-lasting friendships.

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selfie of yale studnets at game
The author, middle, worries he didn't make enough friends in college.

Courtesy of Samuel Johnson-Noya

As a professor, I had my college students write thank-you letters. The exercise renewed my faith in young people.

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a student in a college classroom writing in a notebook
A professor told her students to write "thank you" notes.

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My high school graduation was ruined. I'm now graduating from college and getting the ceremony I deserve.

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the back of a college graduates head in a cap and gown
The author, not pictured, just graduated from college.

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I'm a recent college graduate. No one told me it would be this hard to make ends meet.

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a birds-eye view of a woman typing on a calculator and looking at her bills
The author, not pictured, is a recent college graduate who can't make ends meet.

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I was accepted to Yale. Here's everything I included in my successful Ivy League application.

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Brian Zhang with the Yale dog mascot and a screenshot of his application
The author got into Yale with his successful college application.

Courtesy of Eric Gan & Brian Zhang

As a college professor, I'm seeing more Gen X and Baby Boomer students than ever before. They're changing the way I teach.

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a teacher helping an older person on the computer
The author, not pictured, has seen more older students in her classes.

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As a recent college grad, I've built my career from my childhood bed. I feel like I'm missing out on the professional world.

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Eibhlis Gale-Coleman in a cap and gown in front of her school
The author is a recent college grad working remotely.

Courtesy of Eibhlis Gale-Coleman

I was accepted into my dream colleges: Duke, Columbia, and Yale. I flipped a coin to decide which one was right for me.

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two yale students on yale campus
The author, not pictured, couldn't decide which college to go to.

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I'm a high school senior who commutes an hour by train to school every day. It's helped prepare me for the real world.

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selfie of teddy almond on the train next to a nj transit train
The author, left, takes the train to high school every day.

Courtesy of Teddy Almond & Drew Angerer/Getty Images

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