As I’ve written these blog posts for University Loft Company, focusing mostly on the features and benefits of ULoft’s solid wood college dorm room furniture, I often think back to my days in the residence hall. “Oh, if I only knew then what I know now!” Ever think that? It can be a useful exercise to gain perspective for the older person looking back, and for the younger person looking forward.
So how about you? Knowing what you know now…what would you say to your younger self?
As for me…
I would encourage the 18-year old Bob to see each experience as a lesson, each person as a teacher.
I would encourage myself to feel free to fail, because in failure the greatest learning might be hiding.
I would tell my younger self to value the differences between myself and others, that my normal is not “the” normal.
I’d say “relax”. I’d say that, in the grand cosmic scheme of things, something that seems earth-shaking in the moment might be little more than a hiccup. Regardless, it will be a character-building learning experience.
I would tell myself that answers sometimes come in the form of new and better questions. That it’s okay to wait for clarity, as long as I keep my eyes and spirit open to what’s possible.
I’d say that blessings can wear heavy disguises.
And I would tell myself to be entrepreneurial, to look for better ways to serve others.
This last bit of advice is the road taken by James Jannetides of University Loft Company. Even as a college student, James saw a better way to improve dorm room and residence hall living. And thus, more than a quarter century ago,
University Loft was born, and still to this day college students have better living and learning environments. Living and learning. It’s important at every age. Let’s remember that, shall we?
Bob
The ULoft Blog Team
About University Loft Company and our solid wood modular residence life furniture:
Since 1984, when James Jannetides built a loft configuration for his own dorm room at Southern Illinois University, hundreds of thousands of college students have enjoyed better campus living thanks to University Loft furniture. Today, University Loft serves more than 1,200 colleges, universities and related student housing partners. As Jannetides’ says: “We are always learning, always innovating, and always improving … our environment, our products, and our service. We are University Loft Company.”