Reflecting on my undergraduate experience in the early 2000s, it’s evident how much simpler life was. Back then, cell phones were a luxury, and dorm rooms shared a single landline. The simplicity allowed us to escape the pressures of constant connectivity. If someone wanted to reach you, you could easily ignore their call, email, or even a letter sent through the postal service. The possibility of doing something immature and suddenly becoming a viral sensation on social media was nonexistent. We certainly never acted foolishly, but just to be safe, here are ten things I’m grateful were absent during my college days.
10. Social Media Platforms
During my college years, sites like Facebook were still in their infancy. Instead, we had Flashes Online, a service that sent photographers to document college events, particularly fraternity and sorority parties. The photos would be uploaded for viewing within days, and my friends and I would eagerly check to see if our crushes had been caught in the act of socializing. Thank goodness Facebook didn’t become popular until my law school days, and it required a college email for access. Can you imagine the chaos if it had been available in my undergrad years?
9. Text Messaging
Text messages didn’t appear until my final year of college, and even then, they were rarely used due to the tedious nature of typing on early cell phones. My dad made it clear that with every incoming text costing 25 cents, I was better off picking up the phone or logging into AIM from my desktop to communicate with friends. My AIM username? “funnybunny99.” Don’t ask why.
8. Reality Dating Shows
While shows like The Bachelor were already airing, the over-the-top dating scenarios were not yet a thing. If I had watched those extravagant dates during college, it might have left me feeling inadequate about my own romantic experiences. Imagine expecting a helicopter ride to a castle for dinner instead of a trip to the local pizza buffet!
7. Camera Phones
In those days, we relied on disposable cameras, which added an element of surprise when developing photos. You never knew what your pictures would look like until they were printed – and you could only crop someone out by physically cutting them from the image. Plus, hiding your developed photos from your boyfriend was essential, as you never knew what could come back to haunt you.
6. Selfies
The concept of taking selfies was nonexistent. Capturing a self-portrait with a disposable camera was impractical and would have led to labels of vanity. Plus, there was no immediate gratification of uploading them online to share with others.
5. Wikipedia
Research meant physically going to the library and navigating the card catalog. Nowadays, students can easily plagiarize from the comfort of their couches, thanks to resources like Wikipedia, which makes it all too easy to cut corners.
4. Online Shopping
During my first two years of college, I didn’t have a car, making trips to the store a hassle. If Amazon Prime had existed, I would have found myself broke in no time, tempted to buy everything from beauty products to the latest albums without consideration for my budget.
3. Smartphones
In college, I enjoyed being fully immersed in the moment with friends without the constant pressure of notifications and social media updates. I could truly focus on enjoying life without the distractions that smartphones bring.
2. Hashtags
The era of hashtags had not yet arrived. We could be funny and engaging in real life without feeling the need to curate our humor for an online audience.
1. Dating Apps
Applications like Tinder, which require users to swipe right or left based on attractiveness, would have changed the dynamics of dating entirely. I can only imagine the pressure and complexity they would have introduced to the college social scene.
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In summary, the absence of these modern conveniences during my college years allowed for a more genuine and less complicated experience. Reflecting on those times, it’s clear that the simplicity of life back then fostered deeper connections and experiences.