By: Emily Carson
Updated: Aug. 5, 2016
Originally Published: Oct. 20, 2005
Ah, college! I attended during the early 2000s—a time when life was refreshingly simple. Back then, cell phones were a rare luxury, and sharing the dorm landline was the norm. If someone wanted to reach you, you had the delightful option to ignore calls, emails, or even good old-fashioned letters. No social media blunders waiting to go viral, just good times with friends. But if I’d had to navigate the following things in college? Well, let’s just say I’d be grateful they weren’t around.
10. Facebook
When I was in college, we had something called Flashes Online—no, not the social media site. It was a service that sent photographers to capture the antics of college events, especially those wild fraternity and sorority parties. The photos would go online a few days later, and my friends and I would eagerly scroll through thousands of images, searching for our latest crushes. Thankfully, Facebook didn’t emerge until my first year of law school, and back then, you actually needed a college email to sign up. If Facebook had been around, I’d probably be in jail for stalking!
9. Text Messaging
Texting didn’t really kick off until my senior year, and even then, it was a hassle—typing a simple seven-letter word could take ages! Plus, texts cost 25 cents each, and my dad was ready to throttle me if I went over the limit. Back then, making plans meant actually calling someone or logging into AIM on our clunky desktops. My screen name? “emilychick.” Don’t ask.
8. Reality Dating Shows
While shows like The Bachelor existed, the extravagant dates didn’t come until later. If I had watched those over-the-top romantic escapades while in college, I would’ve developed a skewed perception of dating. Seriously, if you’re not whisking me away on a helicopter tour of the Grand Canyon followed by a candlelit dinner, I’m not interested!
7. Camera Phones
In my day, we relied on disposable cameras from the pharmacy. Getting those photos developed was like unwrapping a Christmas gift—exciting, yet often disappointing. There was no editing, no filters, and you had to physically cut out any photobombers. And never, ever let your mom develop the pics!
6. Selfies
Taking a “selfie” with a disposable camera was nearly impossible. Plus, with social media non-existent, you couldn’t instantly share your self-portraits online. If you were caught snapping pics of yourself back then, you’d be labeled as vain, and trust me, nobody wanted that reputation.
5. Wikipedia
Researching back in my college days meant trekking to the library and figuring out the card catalog. Nowadays, students can conveniently plagiarize from their couches thanks to Wikipedia. What a time saver!
4. Online Shopping
Without a car during my first two years, I had to rely on friends for rides to buy anything. If Amazon Prime had existed, I’d have been broke in no time. The temptation to order ridiculous items like 19 bottles of shampoo or an adorable Juicy Couture jumpsuit would have been too great!
3. Smart Phones
Back in college, I was free to fully enjoy moments with friends without the constant pressure to check emails or post on social media. Ah, the bliss of being present!
2. Hashtags
#backintheday #wewerefunnyinreallife #withouthashtags #andnotfeelingobligatedto #beentertainingonline
1. Tinder
Tinder is a dating app that pulls info from Facebook, allowing users to swipe right for a match or left to pass. Honestly, it sounds like a recipe for disaster—I’m glad I dodged that bullet!
Cheers to the simpler days when life was less plugged in!
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Summary:
Reflecting on my college days, I appreciate the absence of modern distractions like social media, texting, and reality shows. These ten things would have complicated life back then, from unrealistic dating expectations to the constant pressure of being online.